🔗 Share this article

It's difficult for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, targeted by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a side that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Ton Assists Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers

That it took as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over five decades.

It's challenging for their batsmen to hold a record if not afforded the opportunity.

In the end, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a platform to create her most recent brilliance.

Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation failed to win 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 arrived three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.

The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.

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

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

If this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.

Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's definite is this century was far harder to anticipate.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this innings came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in practice sessions, it was a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive nature take over and you just lock into the competition."

Healy's competitiveness has always been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.

One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the right-hander was in motion.

"A chance to take the field and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself that way, sort of got me going," stated Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

By the time she was removed the team required another 66 at one run per ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the assurance to do that now," added Healy.

"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if we do, we know we can achieve it."

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

Over the past five days a sense they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this victory coming after win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.

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

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wished she had played with the discomfort.

However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this tournament is expected to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as captain.

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