The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.
This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the record chasers, are the only things left for a squad that has won it all.
- Healy's Century Assists Australia to Record Chase
- ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
- Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers
It needed up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their batsmen to maintain a record if never given the chance.
Finally, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory came three months after her debut and seven world titles 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 run of success.
That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not come up short.
If this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Many contend the case for championship match pressure. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was much more difficult to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature kick in and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the batsman was underway.
"An opportunity to go out there and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.
When she was dismissed Australia needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, should it happen, we know we can succeed."
Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup want to hear.
During the last week a feeling they will win from any position has grown stronger - this victory coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated through the pain.
But while she afterwards confessed those physical issues have pushed back consideration of ending her career, 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.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.