The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.
This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, targeted by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a side that has won it all.
- Healy's Century Aids Australia to Historic Pursuit
- ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
- Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers
It needed until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It's difficult for their hitters to maintain a record if not afforded the possibility.
In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a platform to deliver her newest gem.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her debut and seven international trophies have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fail again.
Whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort can be debated.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What is certain is this ton was much more difficult to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this innings was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in the nets, it was a frustrating experience because I feel like I lacked timing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive nature activate and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and after that Healy was underway.
"A chance to go out there and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
Once she was dismissed Australia required another 66 at one run per ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the confidence to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if we do, we are confident we can do it."
These statements will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this championship should hear.
During the last week a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they were eliminated from 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 first time at a major tournament.
Such is her determination, she later said she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
Yet even as she later admitted those physical issues have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this tournament is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as leader.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.
