🔗 Share this article

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

The top summits have long been mastered.

We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and once went over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, targeted by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a team that has won it all.

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

It needed up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.

It is hard for their batters to possess a record if never given the possibility.

Ultimately, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a chance to produce her newest gem.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her debut and seven world titles have come from 10 tries across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the run of success.

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

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

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

Some will argue the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What is certain is this century was far harder 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 was a challenging time because it appeared I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive nature take over and you just lock into the match."

Healy's competitive nature has always been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was tormented 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 here that only provided Healy's motivation.

A single came off the opening delivery and from that point the right-hander was on her way.

"The possibility to play and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.

By the time she was out Australia needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the confidence to do that now," added Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if necessary, we know we can succeed."

Those words will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this tournament need to hear.

During the last week a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this victory succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.

It was at that stage they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.

But while she later admitted those fitness problems have delayed thoughts of retirement, this championship is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as captain.

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