🔗 Share this article

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

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, those for the peak baggers, are what's still available for a team that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Century Aids Australia to Record Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

It needed as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.

It's challenging for their batters to hold a record if not afforded the possibility.

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have followed from 10 tries across formats.

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.

That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fail again.

Whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display is debatable.

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

What's definite is this hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, 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 been watching me in practice sessions, it was a frustrating experience because it seemed my form was missing at all," stated Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your competitive nature activate and you simply focus on the contest."

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

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was on her way.

"The possibility to take the field and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.

By the time she was out her side needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to accomplish that now," continued Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, should it happen, we are confident we can do it."

These statements will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup want to hear.

During the last week a sense they will win from any position has grown stronger - this success coming after success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

It was in the semi-finals they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she later said she wished she had played despite the injury.

But while she later admitted those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this championship is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper.

Success in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.