Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a team that has won it all.
- Healy's Ton Assists Australia to Unprecedented Chase
- ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
- Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers
The fact it required until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It's difficult for their hitters to maintain a record if not afforded the chance.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a platform to create her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her debut and seven global championships have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the case for final game tension. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was much more difficult to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock 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 challenging time because I feel like my form was missing at all," commented Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts activate and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that the batsman was in motion.
"An opportunity to take the field and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
By the time she was out the team required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the belief to do that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if we do, we believe we can succeed."
Those words will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this tournament should hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will win from any position has only strengthened - this victory following success over 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 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated through the pain.
But while she later admitted those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as captain.
Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.