🔗 Share this article

It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.

This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, those for the record chasers, are what's still available for a team that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Ton Aids Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

It needed up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It's challenging for their batsmen to possess a record if not provided the possibility.

Ultimately, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to create her newest gem.

Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 championship victory happened three months after her bow and seven global championships have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the winning streak.

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 final and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fail again.

If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Certain people claim the argument supporting championship match pressure. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's definite is this ton was much more difficult to predict.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this performance was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've been watching me in the nets, it's been a challenging time because it seemed my form was missing at all," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit kick in and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

One run resulted off the opening delivery and after that the right-hander was in motion.

"The possibility to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.

Once she was out her side needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the confidence to accomplish that now," continued Healy.

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

Those words will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this championship need to hear.

Over the past five days a feeling they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory coming after victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.

It was at that stage they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wished she had played with the discomfort.

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this championship is likely to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper.

Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.