🔗 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 team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, targeted by the record chasers, are all that remain for a side that has won it all.

• Healy's Century Aids Australia to Record Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers

That it took up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.

It's challenging for their hitters to hold a record if not afforded the chance.

Finally, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given a platform to produce her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 championship victory happened three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have followed from 10 attempts across formats.

The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not come up short.

Whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.

Many contend the case for final game tension. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's definite is this hundred was far harder to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this knock came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in the nets, it has been a frustrating experience because I feel like I lacked timing at all," stated Healy.

"However when you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit activate and you just lock into the match."

Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her key asset - and a priceless quality in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

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

"The possibility to go out there and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun that way, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.

By the time she was out her side needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

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

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we know we can do it."

These statements will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup want to hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this success coming after victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.

During that phase they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she later said she wished she had played through the pain.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have postponed consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as leader.

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