The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for Australia to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
This is the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a squad that has won it all.
- Healy's Century Helps Australia to Record Chase
- Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
- Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers
The fact it required as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over five decades.
It is hard for their batsmen to maintain a record if not afforded the possibility.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy getting a chance to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her debut and seven international trophies have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fall short again.
If this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Many contend the argument supporting final game tension. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was much more difficult to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it was a challenging time because it seemed I lacked timing completely," commented Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your fighting spirit take over and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from there the batsman was on her way.
"A chance to play and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.
By the time she was dismissed the team needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the belief to accomplish that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we are confident we can succeed."
These statements will be the last Australia's opponents at this World Cup need to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will win from any position has grown stronger - this success following victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she later said she regretted not playing through the pain.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have postponed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as captain.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.