Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The top summits have already been conquered.
We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a side that has won it all.
- Healy's Century Aids Australia to Historic Pursuit
- Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
- Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers
The fact it required until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.
It is hard for their hitters to maintain a record if not afforded the possibility.
In the end, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her bow and seven global championships have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in the nets, it was a challenging time because I feel like I lacked timing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature activate and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and after that Healy was on her way.
"An opportunity to take the field and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
When she was removed the team needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the assurance to accomplish that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if we do, we believe we can succeed."
That comment will be the final thing competing nations at this championship need to hear.
In recent days a belief they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this victory succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wished she had played despite the injury.
Yet even as she later admitted those physical issues have pushed back plans to retire, this tournament is likely to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as leader.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.