🔗 Share this article

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

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

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

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a squad that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Ton Assists Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

It needed up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the pitchers that have represented Australia over five decades.

It is hard for their batsmen to hold a record if not provided the chance.

Finally, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to produce her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her bow and seven world titles have followed from 10 tries across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.

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

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.

If this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort can be debated.

Some will argue the argument supporting final game tension. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as 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 been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it's been a frustrating experience because I feel like I lacked timing completely," commented Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your competitive nature kick in and you completely engage with the contest."

Healy's competitive nature has always been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

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

"A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

Once she was removed her side needed 66 more at run per delivery - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the belief to do that now," added Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we know we can succeed."

Those words will be the final thing rival teams at this World Cup need to hear.

In recent days a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory following success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.

It was in the semi-finals they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at an important competition.

So great is her will, she later said she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

But while she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this championship is expected to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as captain.

Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.