🔗 Share this article

It's a challenge for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and once went over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, targeted by the record chasers, are the only things left for a squad that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Hundred Assists Australia to Historic Pursuit
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

That it took as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

It is hard for their batsmen to possess a record if not provided the chance.

In the end, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

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

The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the run of success.

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

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

The question of whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort is debatable.

Some will argue the argument supporting final game tension. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's definite is this century was considerably tougher to predict.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock 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 observed me in the nets, it was a challenging time because it seemed I've had no rhythm at all," stated Healy.

"However when you take the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the match."

Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.

One run resulted off the opening delivery and from there the batsman was on her way.

"A chance to go out there and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun that way, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.

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

"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the assurance to do that now," continued Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, should it happen, we are confident we can succeed."

That comment will be the last competing nations at this tournament should hear.

In recent days a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory following victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.

During that phase they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a major tournament.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wished she had played with the discomfort.

Yet even as she later admitted those fitness problems have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper.

Success in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.