🔗 Share this article

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

The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.

This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, those for the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a team that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Ton Helps Australia to Record Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers

It needed as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

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

Finally, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a platform to create her newest gem.

Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.

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

The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.

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

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fall short again.

If this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display can be debated.

Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's clear is this ton was much more difficult to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this innings was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've observed me in the nets, it was a challenging time because I feel like I lacked timing at all," said Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your competitive instincts activate and you just lock into the competition."

Healy's competitiveness has always been her great strength - and a priceless quality in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.

A single came off the bowler's initial ball and after that Healy was underway.

"An opportunity to take the field and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

When she was dismissed Australia needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the assurance to accomplish that now," added Healy.

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

These statements will be the last competing nations at this World Cup should hear.

During the last week a sense they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory coming after victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.

During that phase they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss 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 an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wished she had played through the pain.

However although she afterwards confessed those physical issues have delayed plans to retire, this tournament is anticipated as her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as captain.

Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.