The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's difficult for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the record chasers, are all that remain for a team that has won it all.
- Healy's Century Helps Australia to Record Chase
- ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
- Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers
The fact it required until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It's difficult for their hitters to maintain a record if not provided the opportunity.
Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting a chance to produce 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 Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her bow and seven global championships have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fail again.
Whether 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 test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was considerably tougher to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared I lacked timing at all," commented Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive nature take over and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was underway.
"An opportunity to take the field and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
When she was removed Australia required another 66 at run per delivery - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the confidence to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if necessary, we are confident we can achieve it."
That comment will be the last Australia's opponents at this tournament want to hear.
In recent days a belief they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this triumph succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wished she had played with the discomfort.
But while she later admitted those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this tournament is anticipated as her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as leader.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.