🔗 Share this article

It's difficult for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, targeted by the record chasers, are what's still available for a side that has won it all.

• Healy's Hundred Aids Australia to Historic Pursuit
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers

The fact it required until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It's challenging for their batsmen to maintain a record if not afforded the possibility.

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

Then best known as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 championship victory happened three months after her debut and seven world titles have followed from 10 tries across formats.

The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.

That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fall short again.

Whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort can be debated.

Certain people claim the case for final game tension. Some might respond with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What is certain is this hundred was much more difficult to predict.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this innings came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it has been a disappointing period because it seemed I lacked timing whatsoever," said Healy.

"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

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

"A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.

Once she was out her side needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the assurance to do that now," added Healy.

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

These statements will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this World Cup need to hear.

During the last week a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this success succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.

During that phase they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing despite the injury.

Yet even as she later admitted those injuries have postponed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as leader.

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