Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.
The top summits have already been conquered.
We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the peak baggers, are the only things left for a team that has achieved everything.
- Healy's Century Assists Australia to Record Chase
- ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
- Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers
It needed until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their batsmen to hold a record if never given the opportunity.
Finally, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a chance to create her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 tries across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "drove 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 made sure her country would not fail again.
Whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was considerably tougher to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this knock came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in the nets, it was a frustrating experience because I feel like I've had no rhythm at all," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive instincts activate and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her great strength - and a priceless quality in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from there the batsman was on her way.
"A chance to go out there and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun that way, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
Once she was dismissed Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we believe we can achieve it."
These statements will be the last rival teams at this championship need to hear.
During the last week a sense they will win from any position has grown stronger - this triumph coming after victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors 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 an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated through the pain.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those injuries have postponed plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader.
Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.