🔗 Share this article

It's difficult for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, targeted by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a side that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Century Helps Australia to Record Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

It needed until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.

It's difficult for their batters to hold a record if not provided the opportunity.

Finally, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her newest gem.

Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her bow and seven international trophies have come from 10 tries across formats.

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the run of success.

That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fail again.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort can be debated.

Some will argue the argument supporting championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings 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 observed me in the nets, it has been a frustrating experience because it appeared I lacked timing completely," stated Healy.

"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive nature kick in and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

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

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and after that the batsman was in motion.

"The possibility to go out there and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.

Once she was dismissed the team needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

"To chase 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the assurance to do that now," continued Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if we do, we know we can achieve it."

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

Over the past five days a feeling they will win from any position has grown stronger - this victory following success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting 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 well be secure.

It was at that stage they left last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain.

However although she afterwards confessed those physical issues have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper.

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