🔗 Share this article

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

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the record chasers, are all that remain for a team that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Century Assists Australia to Historic Pursuit
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

That it took as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if not provided the possibility.

In the end, the result of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to produce her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have followed 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 run of success.

That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fall short again.

If this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the case for final game tension. Others can counter with the test that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's definite is this hundred was far harder to predict.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've been watching me in training, it has been a disappointing period because I feel like I lacked timing whatsoever," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts take over and you completely engage with the competition."

Healy's fighting spirit has always been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

A single came off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was in motion.

"An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.

By the time she was removed her side needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the assurance to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we are confident we can achieve it."

That comment will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this tournament should hear.

In recent days a sense they will win from any position has only strengthened - this victory succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.

During that phase they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing despite the injury.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have delayed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is expected to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as captain.

Success in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.