🔗 Share this article

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

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, targeted by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a squad that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Ton Aids Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers

That it took up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the opportunity.

Finally, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her newest gem.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.

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

The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the run of success.

That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.

If this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Many contend the reasoning behind final game tension. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's definite is this century was far harder to see coming.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this knock was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've been watching me in training, it was a disappointing period because I feel like my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.

"However when you take the field, your competitive nature activate and you simply focus on the competition."

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

A single was taken off the opening delivery and from that point Healy was underway.

"A chance to play and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, 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, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

By the time she was dismissed the team needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the belief to accomplish that now," continued Healy.

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

These statements will be the last Australia's opponents at this tournament need to hear.

Over the past five days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this victory following win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

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

It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she later said she regretted not playing despite the injury.

However although she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have postponed plans to retire, this championship is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as leader.

Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.