🔗 Share this article

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

The top summits have already been conquered.

We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a squad that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Ton Aids Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

The fact it required up to 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 the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if not provided the opportunity.

Ultimately, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a chance to produce her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.

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

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the successful run.

That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.

Whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display is debatable.

Many contend the case for final game tension. Some might respond with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's definite is this ton was considerably tougher to see coming.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this knock followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it was a disappointing period because it seemed I've had no rhythm at all," commented Healy.

"However when you step out on the field, your fighting spirit take over and you just lock into the match."

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the batsman was in motion.

"A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

Once she was out the team required another 66 at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the belief to do that now," added Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we are confident we can succeed."

Those words will be the last competing nations at this World Cup want to hear.

During the last week a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this victory succeeding win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.

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

During that phase they exited 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 captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she later said she wished she had played through the pain.

However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have postponed 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 world championship as captain.

Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.