🔗 Share this article

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

The top summits have long been mastered.

This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the record chasers, are all that remain for a squad that has won it all.

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

That it took as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.

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

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy being given a chance to produce her latest masterpiece.

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 T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her debut and seven international trophies have followed from 10 efforts across formats.

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

That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fall short again.

Whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

Some will argue the argument supporting championship match pressure. Some might respond with the test that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's clear is this ton was far harder to anticipate.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've been watching me in training, it has been a challenging time because it appeared I lacked timing whatsoever," stated Healy.

"However when you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit take over and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

A single came off the opening delivery and from that point Healy was in motion.

"The possibility to play and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, sort of got me going," stated Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

By the time she was out her side needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

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

These statements will be the final thing competing nations at this tournament want to hear.

Over the past five days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this victory following victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

It was in the semi-finals they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.

So great is her will, she later said she regretted not playing through the pain.

However although she later admitted those fitness problems have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as captain.

Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.