Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a team that has won it all.
- Healy's Century Aids Australia to Historic Pursuit
- ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
- Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers
It needed as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their hitters to hold a record if not provided the chance.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to deliver her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," 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 guaranteed her country would not fall short again.
If this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was much more difficult to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it was a challenging time because I feel like I've had no rhythm at all," stated Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit take over and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from there the batsman was underway.
"The possibility to go out there and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
When she was out the team needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if we do, we are confident we can succeed."
These statements will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this tournament should hear.
During the last week a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this success following victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
It was in the semi-finals they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a major tournament.
Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing through the pain.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is likely to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a global event as skipper.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.