🔗 Share this article

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

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Ton Assists Australia to Historic Pursuit
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers

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

It's challenging for their batters to possess a record if never given the possibility.

Finally, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a platform to produce her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 championship victory came three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.

The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fall short again.

Whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.

Many contend the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've observed me in the nets, it has been a disappointing period because it seemed my form was missing at all," said Healy.

"But once you take the field, your fighting spirit take over and you simply focus on the contest."

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

She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was on her way.

"A chance to play and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun that way, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.

By the time she was out her side needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy.

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

These statements will be the final thing rival teams at this tournament want to hear.

In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this success coming after victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wished she had played with the discomfort.

But while she later admitted those physical issues have postponed plans to retire, this championship is expected to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as leader.

Victory in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.