🔗 Share this article

It's difficult for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for the record chasers, are what's still available for a squad that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Hundred Helps Australia to Record Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers

It needed as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It is hard for their batsmen to maintain a record if not afforded the opportunity.

Finally, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 championship victory came three months after her bow and seven international trophies have come from 10 efforts across formats.

The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the successful run.

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

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.

If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

Many contend the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's clear is this hundred was considerably tougher to see coming.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this innings followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've observed me in the nets, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed I lacked timing completely," commented Healy.

"However when you step out on the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you just lock into the contest."

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

She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from there the right-hander was in motion.

"The possibility to go out there and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

When she was removed the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the belief to do that now," added Healy.

"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, should it happen, we believe we can succeed."

These statements will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this tournament need to hear.

During the last week a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this victory following victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.

It was at that stage they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a major tournament.

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

But while she later admitted those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as skipper.

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