🔗 Share this article

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

The top summits have long been mastered.

We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a team that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Ton Helps Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

That it took as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the last half-century.

It's challenging for their hitters to possess a record if not afforded the opportunity.

Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 World Cup win came three months after her debut and seven global championships have followed from 10 attempts across formats.

The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the successful run.

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

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not come up short.

Whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort is debatable.

Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the test that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

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

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it was a disappointing period because it appeared I lacked timing completely," said Healy.

"However when you take the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from there the batsman was on her way.

"A chance to go out there and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself 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 as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.

Once she was dismissed the team needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.

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

"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we are confident we can succeed."

Those words will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this tournament need to hear.

During the last week a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this success following success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting 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 the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

So great is her will, she later said she wanted to have participated through the pain.

Yet even as she later admitted those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as captain.

Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.