🔗 Share this article

It's a challenge for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, targeted by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a side that has won it all.

• Healy's Ton Assists Australia to Historic Pursuit
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

That it took up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It's challenging for their batsmen to maintain a record if not afforded the opportunity.

Finally, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her bow and seven international trophies have followed from 10 attempts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the winning streak.

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

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fail again.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's definite is this ton was much more difficult to see coming.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because I feel like I've had no rhythm at all," said Healy.

"But once you take the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you completely engage with the contest."

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her key asset - and a priceless quality in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.

A single came off the opening delivery and from there the batsman was in motion.

"A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.

By the time she was out the team needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

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

"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if we do, we believe we can do it."

Those words will be the last Australia's opponents at this World Cup should hear.

During the last week a feeling they will win from any position has grown stronger - this victory following success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.

It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at an important competition.

So great is her will, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing despite the injury.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this tournament is likely to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as captain.

Victory in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.