🔗 Share this article

It's difficult for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are all that remain for a squad that has won it all.

• Healy's Century Assists Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

The fact it required up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.

It's challenging for their batsmen to possess a record if not provided the chance.

In the end, the result of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her bow and seven world titles have come from 10 tries across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper 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 said this week.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not come up short.

Whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

Certain people claim the case for final game tension. Others can counter with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What is certain is this century was considerably tougher to see coming.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've observed me in training, it was a frustrating experience because I feel like my form was missing completely," commented Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts take over and you simply focus on the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from there the batsman was on her way.

"An opportunity to take the field and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

Once she was removed Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I am glad we have the belief to achieve that now," added Healy.

"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, should it happen, we know we can achieve it."

These statements will be the last Australia's opponents at this World Cup need to hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this victory coming after success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.

It was at that stage they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

So great is her will, she later said she wished she had played with the discomfort.

But while she later admitted those physical issues have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this tournament is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as skipper.

Victory in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.