Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a team that has won it all.
- Healy's Century Assists Australia to Unprecedented Chase
- Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
- Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers
That it took up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their hitters to maintain a record if not provided the chance.
In the end, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "pushed 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 declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display is debatable.
Some will argue the argument supporting final game tension. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What is certain is this ton was far harder to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this performance came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in the nets, it was a disappointing period because it appeared I've had no rhythm at all," commented Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit activate and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has always been her great strength - and a priceless quality in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from there the batsman was underway.
"An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was out Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we believe we can succeed."
These statements will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this World Cup should hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this triumph following success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing despite the injury.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have postponed plans to retire, this championship is expected to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as skipper.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.