🔗 Share this article

It's a challenge for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, targeted by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a team that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Hundred Helps Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

The fact it required until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the last half-century.

It's challenging for their batters to possess a record if not afforded the possibility.

In the end, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to create her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 tries across formats.

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.

That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not come up short.

Whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display is debatable.

Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's definite is this hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this innings 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 the nets, it was a disappointing period because it appeared I lacked timing completely," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive nature kick in and you completely engage with the match."

Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.

A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from there the batsman was in motion.

"The possibility to play and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

Once she was removed the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I am glad we have the confidence to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if necessary, we know we can achieve it."

Those words will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this tournament want to hear.

During the last week a sense they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory succeeding win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.

During that phase they exited the prior 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 captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing despite the injury.

Yet even as she later admitted those fitness problems have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as skipper.

Victory in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.