The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.
The top summits have long been mastered.
This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a side that has won it all.
- Healy's Century Helps Australia to Historic Pursuit
- Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
- Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers
That it took until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It is hard for their batsmen to hold a record if not afforded the possibility.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her bow and seven world titles have followed from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display is debatable.
Certain people claim the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was much more difficult to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it's been a challenging time because it seemed my form was missing at all," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit activate and you just lock into the match."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her great strength - and a priceless quality in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from there the batsman was on her way.
"A chance to go out there and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
Once she was out her side needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the confidence to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we believe we can succeed."
These statements will be the last competing nations at this tournament should hear.
During the last week a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this success following success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage 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 ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing despite the injury.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this tournament is expected to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as captain.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.