The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, targeted by the record chasers, are all that remain for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
- Healy's Hundred Helps Australia to Unprecedented Chase
- ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
- Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers
That it took up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowlers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if not provided the chance.
Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have resulted from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fail again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.
Many contend the argument supporting championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this ton was considerably tougher to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this knock came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it's been a challenging time because I feel like my form was missing whatsoever," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts activate and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from there the right-hander was underway.
"The possibility to play and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
When she was out the team required another 66 at run per delivery - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the confidence to do that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we are confident we can succeed."
Those words will be the final thing rival teams at this championship should hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this victory coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
It was at that stage they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wished she had played through the pain.
However although she later admitted those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.