🔗 Share this article

It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, those for the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a team that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Hundred Assists Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

It needed as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

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

Finally, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her debut and seven world titles have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.

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

That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not come up short.

The question of whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display is debatable.

Certain people claim the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's clear is this hundred was much more difficult to anticipate.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this knock was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in the nets, it was a disappointing period because it appeared I lacked timing at all," said Healy.

"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive nature activate and you simply focus on the contest."

Healy's competitive nature has always been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

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

"The possibility to go out there and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.

When she was dismissed Australia needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the confidence to achieve that now," continued Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if necessary, we are confident we can do it."

That comment will be the last Australia's opponents at this World Cup want to hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this success succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

But while she later admitted those physical issues have postponed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is expected to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as skipper.

Victory in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.