The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
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, targeted by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is.
- Healy's Century Assists Australia to Unprecedented 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 achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their batters to maintain a record if never given the opportunity.
Finally, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to create her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her debut and seven international trophies have followed from 10 tries across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.
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 guaranteed her country would not fall short again.
If this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Many contend the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was far harder to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've observed me in training, it has been a challenging time because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," stated Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive nature activate and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her great strength - and a priceless quality in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was underway.
"The possibility to take the field and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was dismissed the team required another 66 at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the assurance to achieve that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, should it happen, we know we can succeed."
That comment will be the last Australia's opponents at this World Cup need to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this victory coming after success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they exited last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at an important competition.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have postponed plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as captain.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.