The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a side that has won it all.
- Healy's Ton Helps Australia to Historic Pursuit
- Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
- Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers
That it took up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their batters to hold a record if not afforded the possibility.
Finally, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a chance to produce her newest gem.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex 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 experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the run of success.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
Whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was considerably tougher to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this innings followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in the nets, it has been a frustrating experience because it seemed my form was missing at all," stated Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit take over and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her key asset - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and after that Healy was in motion.
"A chance to go out there and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
Once she was removed Australia needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the belief to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we know we can achieve it."
That comment will be the final thing rival teams at this tournament need to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will win from any position has grown stronger - this triumph succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have delayed thoughts of retirement, this championship is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.