The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and once went over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the record chasers, are what's still available for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
- Healy's Ton Helps Australia to Historic Pursuit
- Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
- Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers
The fact it required until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their hitters to hold a record if not provided the possibility.
In the end, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a chance to produce her most recent brilliance.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
Whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display is debatable.
Many contend the argument supporting final game tension. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What is certain is this hundred was far harder to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this innings followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've been watching me in the nets, it was a disappointing period because it appeared I've had no rhythm whatsoever," said Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts activate and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has always been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent 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 spark.
A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was underway.
"The possibility to go out there and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.
When she was out Australia required another 66 at run per delivery - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we believe we can succeed."
These statements will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this tournament need to hear.
During the last week a sense they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this success coming after victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they exited last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have postponed plans to retire, this tournament is expected to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as skipper.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.