The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's difficult for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a side that has achieved everything.
- Healy's Century Aids Australia to Unprecedented Chase
- Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
- Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers
The fact it required as late as 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 women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their hitters to possess a record if not afforded the opportunity.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her debut and seven world titles have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not come up short.
If this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Certain people claim the argument supporting championship match pressure. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was much more difficult to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this performance came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in training, it was a disappointing period because I feel like my form was missing whatsoever," said Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit take over and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from there Healy was underway.
"An opportunity to take the field and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
By the time she was out Australia required another 66 at run per delivery - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the confidence to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, should it happen, we are confident we can achieve it."
That comment will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup want to hear.
During the last week a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this success coming after success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she later said she wished she had played despite the injury.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this championship is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in ODI 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.