Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
- Healy's Century Aids Australia to Unprecedented Chase
- ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
- Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers
It needed until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It's difficult for their batters to maintain a record if not afforded the possibility.
Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to create her newest gem.
Then best known as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her bow and seven international trophies have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She made sure 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. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this performance followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in training, it was a disappointing period because I feel like I've had no rhythm whatsoever," stated Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit kick in and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from there the right-hander was underway.
"The possibility to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.
Once she was out the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the confidence to accomplish that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, should it happen, we know we can succeed."
These statements will be the last Australia's opponents at this tournament need to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will win from any position has become more firm - this success coming after success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated through the pain.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as captain.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.