🔗 Share this article

It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad that has won it all.

• Healy's Century Assists Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

The fact it required as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.

It is hard for their hitters to possess a record if not afforded the chance.

Finally, the result of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a chance to create her newest gem.

Then best known as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.

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

The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

That loss "drove 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 made sure her country would not fall short again.

If this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What is certain is this hundred was much more difficult to anticipate.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've observed me in training, it's been a disappointing period because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your fighting spirit take over and you simply focus on the competition."

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from there Healy was in motion.

"An opportunity to play and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

By the time she was out Australia required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the belief to achieve that now," continued Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if we do, we are confident we can achieve it."

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

Over the past five days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this success succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.

It was at that stage they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wished she had played despite the injury.

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have postponed thoughts of retirement, this championship is likely to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as captain.

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