Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the record chasers, are what's still available for a side that has won it all.
- Healy's Century Helps Australia to Historic Pursuit
- ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
- Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers
It needed as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their batsmen to maintain a record if never given the chance.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a platform to produce her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this ton was considerably tougher to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it's been a disappointing period because it appeared my form was missing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"But once you step out on the field, your competitive nature activate and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from there Healy was on her way.
"The possibility to play and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun that way, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
By the time she was out her side needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if necessary, we are confident we can achieve it."
That comment will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this World Cup should hear.
During the last week a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this victory following victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a major tournament.
Such is her determination, she later said she regretted not playing despite the injury.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this tournament is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as skipper.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.
