The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a team that has achieved everything.
- Healy's Hundred Assists Australia to Record Chase
- ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
- Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers
It needed 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 the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their batsmen to hold a record if not provided the opportunity.
Finally, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a platform to produce her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous 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 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.
Whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort can be debated.
Many contend the case for championship match pressure. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was far harder to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this innings came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in training, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts activate and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's competitive nature has always been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
A single came off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was on her way.
"A chance to take the field and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
By the time she was dismissed the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the confidence to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if we do, we believe we can do it."
That comment will be the final thing rival teams at this championship want to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will win from any position has only strengthened - this success coming after success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
During that phase they were eliminated from last 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 significant event.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
But while she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this championship is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as captain.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.