Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and once went over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
- Healy's Hundred Aids Australia to Unprecedented Chase
- ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
- Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers
That it took up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It is hard for their hitters to maintain a record if not afforded the chance.
Finally, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a chance to create her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her debut and seven world titles have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Certain people claim the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was far harder to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've been watching me in training, it has been a frustrating experience because I feel like I've had no rhythm completely," stated Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit kick in and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from there the batsman was on her way.
"An opportunity to take the field and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun that way, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.
By the time she was out Australia required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the assurance to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if we do, we know we can do it."
Those words will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup should hear.
During the last week a feeling they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this victory following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they left last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of torn 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 wished she had played with the discomfort.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have postponed thoughts of retirement, this championship is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as captain.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.