🔗 Share this article

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

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

This is the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, targeted by the record chasers, are what's still available for a squad that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Ton Assists Australia to Historic Pursuit
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

It needed as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have represented Australia over five decades.

It is hard for their batters to hold a record if not provided the chance.

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given a platform to produce her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

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

The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.

That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.

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

Many contend the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What is certain is this ton was considerably tougher to anticipate.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this innings followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

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

"However when you take the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you simply focus on the contest."

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from there the right-hander was underway.

"The possibility to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.

When she was removed the team needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the confidence to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, should it happen, we believe we can succeed."

Those words will be the last competing nations at this World Cup should hear.

In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this victory succeeding win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.

It was in the semi-finals they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing with the discomfort.

However although she later admitted those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this tournament is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper.

Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.