The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the peak baggers, are the only things left for a side that has won it all.
- Healy's Century Assists Australia to Historic Pursuit
- ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
- Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers
It needed up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the pitchers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It is hard for their batters to maintain a record if never given the possibility.
In the end, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to produce her newest gem.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country didn't secure 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 came three months after her bow and seven world titles have followed from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fail again.
If this latest epic knock topped that previous effort can be debated.
Some will argue the argument supporting final game tension. Some might respond with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was considerably tougher to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this performance came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in training, it has been a challenging time because it appeared I lacked timing at all," stated Healy.
"But once you step out on the field, your competitive nature kick in and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and after that Healy was on her way.
"An opportunity to go out there and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
When she was removed Australia required another 66 at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the assurance to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, should it happen, we know we can succeed."
These statements will be the final thing rival teams at this World Cup should hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will win from any position has only strengthened - this success following success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they left last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wished she had played despite the injury.
But while she afterwards confessed those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as skipper.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.