Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for Australia to break new ground.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years unbeaten 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 Hundred Aids Australia to Record Chase
- ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
- Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers
That it took up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their hitters to hold a record if not afforded the opportunity.
Finally, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a platform to produce her most recent brilliance.
Originally famous as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her bow and seven global championships 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 temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fall short again.
If this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort can be debated.
Some will argue the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's clear is this ton was far harder to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've observed me in training, it was a challenging time because it seemed I've had no rhythm whatsoever," stated Healy.
"However when you take the field, your fighting spirit activate and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
A single came off the opening delivery and from there Healy was underway.
"An opportunity to go out there and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
By the time she was out Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the confidence to do that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we believe we can do it."
That comment will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this World Cup need to hear.
During the last week a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this triumph succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting 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 left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a major tournament.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated through the pain.
But while she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have delayed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as captain.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.