Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
This is the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the record chasers, are the only things left for a team that has achieved everything.
- Healy's Ton Aids Australia to Unprecedented Chase
- Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
- Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers
It needed up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their batters to hold a record if not afforded the chance.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting a chance to deliver her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her bow and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fail again.
If this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort is debatable.
Certain people claim the case for the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it was a disappointing period because I feel like I lacked timing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive nature activate and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her great strength - and a priceless quality in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and from there Healy was in motion.
"A chance to take the field and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
When she was out the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the belief to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if necessary, we believe we can do it."
These statements will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this championship should hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this victory succeeding success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents 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 exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wished she had played through the pain.
However although she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.