🔗 Share this article

It's difficult for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.

This is the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a side that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Hundred Helps Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers

That it took as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.

It is hard for their batsmen to maintain a record if not afforded the opportunity.

Finally, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to create her newest gem.

Originally famous as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup 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 "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.

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

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Some will argue the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What is certain is this hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this knock followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.

"For those following me in the nets, it has been a frustrating experience because it seemed my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit kick in and you completely engage with the competition."

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

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and after that Healy was on her way.

"The possibility to play and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.

When she was out her side required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the belief to achieve that now," added Healy.

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

Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this tournament want to hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this victory succeeding success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage.

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

It was in the semi-finals they left last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wished she had played through the pain.

However although she afterwards confessed those physical issues have pushed back plans to retire, this championship is likely to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper.

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