🔗 Share this article

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

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a side that has accomplished all there is.

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

It needed up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

It's challenging for their hitters to maintain a record if not afforded the opportunity.

Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy being given a chance to produce her most recent brilliance.

Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 World Cup win came three months after her bow and seven world titles have come from 10 tries across formats.

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the run of success.

That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fail again.

If this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.

Many contend the case for championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What is certain is this ton was far harder to see coming.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in training, it's been a disappointing period because I feel like my form was missing at all," said Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your competitive instincts take over and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.

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

"An opportunity to go out there and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

Once she was removed the team needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the assurance to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if necessary, we are confident we can do it."

These statements will be the final thing rival teams at this World Cup want to hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this triumph succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.

So great is her will, she later said she wished she had played through the pain.

Yet even as she later admitted those fitness problems have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this tournament is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a global event as leader.

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