The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for Australia to break new ground.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the record chasers, are what's still available for a side that has accomplished all there is.
- Healy's Ton Assists Australia to Record Chase
- Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
- Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers
It needed until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It's difficult for their batters to hold a record if never given the opportunity.
In the end, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to create her newest gem.
Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her bow and seven international trophies have come 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 "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not come up short.
Whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort is debatable.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind final game tension. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was much more difficult to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this innings was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it was a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm completely," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you just lock into the match."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was in motion.
"The possibility to take the field and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
Once she was out Australia needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the assurance to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we believe we can do it."
These statements will be the last Australia's opponents at this World Cup need to hear.
During the last week a feeling they will win from any position has grown stronger - this victory succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
During that phase they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of 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.
However although she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have postponed plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as leader.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.