Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, those for the record chasers, are all that remain for a squad that has achieved everything.
- Healy's Hundred Helps Australia to Historic Pursuit
- Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
- Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers
That it took as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their batters to maintain a record if never given the possibility.
Finally, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to create her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played 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 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fall short again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was much more difficult to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this performance was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because it seemed I lacked timing completely," stated Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive nature activate and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitive nature has always been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from there Healy was on her way.
"An opportunity to play and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
By the time she was out the team required another 66 at one run per ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we are confident we can do it."
That comment will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this championship want to hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory following victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated through the pain.
But while she afterwards confessed those physical issues have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this tournament is anticipated as her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a global event as skipper.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.