🔗 Share this article

It's difficult for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.

This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for the record chasers, are what's still available for a team that has won it all.

• Healy's Ton Assists Australia to Record Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers

The fact it required until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the last half-century.

It's challenging for their batters to hold a record if never given the possibility.

In the end, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a chance to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her debut and seven international trophies have come from 10 tries across formats.

The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the successful run.

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

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.

Whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort is debatable.

Many contend the case for final game tension. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What is certain is this century was much more difficult to anticipate.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this knock came after six matches 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 challenging time because it seemed I lacked timing whatsoever," commented Healy.

"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts take over and you just lock into the match."

Healy's competitiveness has always been her key asset - and a priceless quality in taking over from legendary former captain 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 here that only provided Healy's spark.

A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from that point Healy was in motion.

"The possibility to play and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself that way, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

By the time she was out her side required another 66 at one run per ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the confidence to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.

"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, should it happen, we know we can achieve it."

Those words will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this tournament should hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this victory coming after win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated through the pain.

However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have postponed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is anticipated as her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as leader.

Victory in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.