🔗 Share this article

It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.

This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, those for the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Century Assists Australia to Record Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

That it took up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the pitchers that have represented Australia over five decades.

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

In the end, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to create her newest gem.

Originally famous as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

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

The gritty keeper was present as well 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 scored 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.

The question of whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display can be debated.

Certain people claim the case for final game tension. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it was a challenging time because I feel like I've had no rhythm completely," said Healy.

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

Healy's competitiveness has always been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.

A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was on her way.

"An opportunity to take the field and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

Once she was removed the team needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the confidence to accomplish that now," continued Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we know we can achieve it."

These statements will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup want to hear.

In recent days a feeling they will win from any position has become more firm - this success succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

During that phase they left the prior 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 led her country for the initial instance at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she later said she wanted to have participated through the pain.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this championship is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as skipper.

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