🔗 Share this article

It's a challenge for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.

This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and once went over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the record chasers, are all that remain for a team that has won it all.

• Healy's Hundred Aids Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers

It needed until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over five decades.

It's difficult for their batsmen to maintain a record if never given the possibility.

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to create her most recent brilliance.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 championship victory happened three months after her debut and seven international trophies have come from 10 attempts across formats.

The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the successful run.

That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.

If this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort is debatable.

Certain people claim the case for final game tension. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's definite is this century was far harder to see coming.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this knock followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in training, it was a challenging time because I feel like my form was missing whatsoever," stated Healy.

"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive nature take over and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's competitive nature has always been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

A single came off the bowler's initial ball and after that the right-hander was on her way.

"An opportunity to take the field and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, sort of got me going," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.

By the time she was dismissed her side needed 66 more at run per delivery - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the confidence to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.

"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, should it happen, we are confident we can achieve it."

These statements will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this championship should hear.

During the last week a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this success succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one point.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.

It was in the semi-finals they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

But while she later admitted those physical issues have postponed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is likely to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as skipper.

Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.