🔗 Share this article

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

The top summits have already been conquered.

This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are what's still available for a side that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Ton Aids Australia to Record Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers

The fact it required as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It's challenging for their batsmen to hold a record if not provided the possibility.

In the end, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a chance to create her newest gem.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 World Cup win came three months after her debut and seven international trophies have come from 10 tries across formats.

The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the winning streak.

That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fail again.

Whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Many contend the argument supporting championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's definite is this ton was much more difficult to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in the nets, it has been a challenging time because it appeared my form was missing at all," said Healy.

"However when you take the field, your competitive instincts activate and you simply focus on the competition."

Healy's competitive nature has always been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from that point Healy was in motion.

"An opportunity to go out there and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

When she was removed Australia needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the assurance to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if we do, we are confident we can succeed."

These statements will be the last competing nations at this championship need to hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this success succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.

It was at that stage they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing with the discomfort.

But while she afterwards confessed those injuries have delayed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as leader.

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