🔗 Share this article

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

The top summits have long been mastered.

This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a team that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Hundred Aids Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

The fact it required until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.

It's challenging for their hitters to hold a record if never given the chance.

Finally, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to produce her newest gem.

Then best known as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have followed from 10 tries across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.

That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fail again.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

Many contend the reasoning behind final game tension. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance came after six matches 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 seemed I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive instincts activate and you completely engage with the match."

Healy's competitiveness has always been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.

One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was underway.

"A chance to play and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

By the time she was dismissed Australia needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the assurance to accomplish that now," continued Healy.

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

That comment will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this tournament want to hear.

In recent days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this success coming after win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

It was at that stage they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a significant event.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing with the discomfort.

However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as leader.

Success in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.