Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a team that has accomplished all there is.
- Healy's Hundred Assists Australia to Record Chase
- Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
- Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers
It needed up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It is hard for their hitters to hold a record if not afforded the opportunity.
Finally, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a platform to produce her most recent brilliance.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her debut and seven world titles have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "motivated 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 awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the case for championship match pressure. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was much more difficult to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in the nets, it's been a disappointing period because it seemed I've had no rhythm whatsoever," said Healy.
"But once you step out on the field, your competitive nature kick in and you just lock into the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was underway.
"A chance to take the field and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.
Once she was removed the team needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we believe we can do it."
These statements will be the final thing competing nations at this championship should hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this triumph following victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated through the pain.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have delayed thoughts of retirement, this championship is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as leader.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.