🔗 Share this article

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

The top summits have already been conquered.

This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, those for the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a team that has accomplished all there is.

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

The fact it required as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.

It's challenging for their batsmen to hold a record if never given the opportunity.

Finally, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have followed from 10 attempts across formats.

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.

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

If this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Some will argue the case for championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this performance came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.

"For those following me in the nets, it was a disappointing period because I feel like I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you completely engage with the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

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

A single came off the opening delivery and after that the batsman was on her way.

"The possibility to play and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

Once she was removed her side required another 66 at run per delivery - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.

"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the belief to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we believe we can achieve it."

These statements will be the final thing rival teams at this championship should hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this victory coming after win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 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 well be secure.

It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain.

But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have postponed thoughts of retirement, this championship is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as captain.

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