Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a squad that has achieved everything.
- Healy's Hundred Aids Australia to Historic Pursuit
- ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
- Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers
The fact it required as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their batters to maintain a record if never given the chance.
In the end, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to produce her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fall short again.
If this latest epic knock topped that previous effort is debatable.
Some will argue the argument supporting final game tension. Others can counter with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was much more difficult to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this innings followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in the nets, it was a frustrating experience because I feel like my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive instincts take over and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's competitive nature has always been her key asset - and a priceless quality in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.
A single came off the opening delivery and from that point Healy was in motion.
"An opportunity to go out there and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
Once she was out her side required another 66 at one run per ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if we do, we are confident we can succeed."
Those words will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this tournament need to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will win from any position has grown stronger - this victory succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a significant event.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
However although she later admitted those fitness problems have postponed plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.