Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The top summits have long been mastered.
We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, those for the peak baggers, are what's still available for a side that has won it all.
- Healy's Hundred Helps Australia to Historic Pursuit
- Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
- Tournament Standings, 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, regaining their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their batsmen to maintain a record if never given the opportunity.
Ultimately, the result of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fail again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Many contend the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was considerably tougher to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this performance came after six matches 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 challenging time because it seemed my form was missing at all," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts take over and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her key asset - and a priceless quality in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from there Healy was underway.
"An opportunity to go out there and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
By the time she was out Australia required another 66 at one run per ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if we do, we know we can do it."
These statements will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this World Cup want to hear.
In recent days a sense they will win from any position has only strengthened - this triumph following victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as skipper.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.