Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad that has achieved everything.
- Healy's Hundred Helps Australia to Record Chase
- Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
- Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers
It needed as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It is hard for their batsmen to possess a record if never given the opportunity.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to deliver her most recent brilliance.
Originally famous as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her debut and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not come up short.
If this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the argument supporting championship match pressure. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was far harder to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, 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.
"For those following me in the nets, it has been a disappointing period because it seemed I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.
"But once you take the field, your competitive instincts activate and you just lock into the match."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her key asset - and a priceless quality in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
A single came off the opening delivery and from there Healy was on her way.
"A chance to take the field and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was out Australia needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the confidence to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if we do, we know we can do it."
Those words will be the final thing rival teams at this tournament should hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this triumph succeeding success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they left last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have postponed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.
