The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for Australia to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.
This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are all that remain for a team that has achieved everything.
- Healy's Ton Aids Australia to Record Chase
- ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
- Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers
That it took up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over five decades.
It's challenging for their hitters to hold a record if not provided the possibility.
Finally, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to deliver her newest gem.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was much more difficult to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this innings followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in the nets, it has been a disappointing period because it seemed I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy.
"But once you step out on the field, your competitive nature kick in and you completely engage with the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was in motion.
"A chance to play and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was out her side required another 66 at one run per ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the belief to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if necessary, we are confident we can succeed."
These statements will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this tournament want to hear.
During the last week a sense they will win from any position has only strengthened - this triumph succeeding win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they exited 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 captained her nation for the first time at a significant event.
So great is her will, she later said she wished she had played with the discomfort.
However although she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.