🔗 Share this article

It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.

This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, targeted by the record chasers, are all that remain for a team that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Hundred Aids Australia to Historic Pursuit
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers

The fact it required up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their batsmen to hold a record if not provided the possibility.

In the end, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to produce her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 championship victory came three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have followed from 10 tries across formats.

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

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

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

Whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display can be debated.

Some will argue the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Others can counter with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's definite is this hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this performance came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"For those following me in practice sessions, it has been a disappointing period because it appeared I lacked timing at all," stated Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit kick in and you simply focus on the contest."

Healy's competitive nature has always been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and after that the batsman was underway.

"The possibility to go out there and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.

Once she was dismissed her side needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the belief to achieve that now," continued Healy.

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

Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this championship need to hear.

In recent days a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this success following victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one point.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wished she had played through the pain.

Yet even as she later admitted those injuries have postponed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is expected to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as skipper.

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