🔗 Share this article

It's difficult for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

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

• Healy's Hundred Assists Australia to Historic Pursuit
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Tournament Standings, 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, reclaiming their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.

It's challenging for their hitters to hold a record if not provided the possibility.

Ultimately, the result of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to deliver her newest gem.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her bow and seven world titles have come from 10 attempts across formats.

The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the winning streak.

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

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.

The question of whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What is certain is this hundred was considerably tougher to predict.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this knock came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in practice sessions, it has been a challenging time because it seemed I lacked timing whatsoever," commented Healy.

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

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the right-hander was underway.

"A chance to take the field and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.

Once she was out the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.

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

Those words will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this World Cup should hear.

During the last week a belief they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this victory succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.

It was at that stage they left last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing despite the injury.

However although she afterwards confessed those physical issues have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this tournament is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as skipper.

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