Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The top summits have already been conquered.
We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a side that has achieved everything.
- Healy's Hundred Aids Australia to Record Chase
- Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
- Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers
It needed until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if not afforded the chance.
Finally, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have followed from 10 tries across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
If this latest epic knock topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Many contend the reasoning behind final game tension. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was far harder to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this knock came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in the nets, it's been a disappointing period because it appeared I lacked timing at all," said Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive nature take over and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was in motion.
"The possibility to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
By the time she was out her side required another 66 at one run per ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, should it happen, we believe we can do it."
Those words will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this World Cup should hear.
During the last week a sense they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this triumph following success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they left last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she later said she wanted to have participated through the pain.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this tournament is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a global event as skipper.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.