Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and once went over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are what's still available for a team that has accomplished all there is.
- Healy's Century Helps Australia to Record Chase
- Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
- Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers
The fact it required as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It is hard for their batters to hold a record if not afforded the possibility.
Ultimately, the result of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to produce her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her debut and seven world titles have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the run of success.
That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fail again.
If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was far harder to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this knock was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in the nets, it has been a disappointing period because I feel like I've had no rhythm whatsoever," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive instincts activate and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and after that the right-hander was in motion.
"An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
When she was removed her side needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the belief to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if we do, we know we can succeed."
Those words will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this World Cup should hear.
In recent days a feeling they will win from any position has only strengthened - this victory succeeding win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have postponed consideration of ending her career, this championship is expected to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as leader.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.