🔗 Share this article

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

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

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

• Healy's Century Aids Australia to Record Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

It needed up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if not provided the chance.

Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy being given a chance to create her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

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

The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.

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

Many contend the argument supporting final game tension. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's clear is this century was much more difficult to see coming.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it's been a disappointing period because it appeared my form was missing completely," said Healy.

"However when you take the field, your competitive nature activate and you just lock into the competition."

Healy's competitiveness has always been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from there Healy was underway.

"A chance to go out there and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.

When she was out Australia needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.

"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to achieve that now," continued Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we believe we can do it."

Those words will be the last competing nations at this championship should hear.

During the last week a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this success following win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.

It was at that stage they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wished she had played through the pain.

But while she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this tournament is likely to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as leader.

Success in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.