The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a side that has accomplished all there is.
- Healy's Century Aids Australia to Record Chase
- Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
- Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers
The fact it required as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if not afforded the chance.
Finally, the result of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to deliver her most recent brilliance.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 tries 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 "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort can be debated.
Certain people claim the argument supporting championship match pressure. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was considerably tougher to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this performance came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it's been a frustrating experience because I feel like I've had no rhythm whatsoever," said Healy.
"However when you take the field, your competitive instincts take over and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and from there the batsman was in motion.
"A chance to play and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
When she was removed her side needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the assurance to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, should it happen, we know we can achieve it."
That comment will be the final thing competing nations at this tournament want to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will win from any position has only strengthened - this success succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
It was at that stage they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.
Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have delayed plans to retire, this championship is likely to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as captain.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.