Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the peak baggers, are all that remain for a team that has accomplished all there is.
- Healy's Century Helps Australia to Record Chase
- ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
- Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers
The fact it required up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It is hard for their batsmen to hold a record if never given the opportunity.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her debut and seven world titles have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not come up short.
If this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Many contend the reasoning behind final game tension. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was much more difficult to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this knock followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in the nets, it's been a frustrating experience because it appeared I lacked timing completely," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive nature activate and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and after that the batsman was underway.
"The possibility to play and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
When she was out her side needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the belief to do that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, should it happen, we believe we can achieve it."
Those words will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this championship should hear.
During the last week a feeling they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this triumph coming after win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
So great is her will, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing despite the injury.
But while she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have delayed plans to retire, this tournament is likely to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as skipper.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.