Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.
The top summits have long been mastered.
This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is.
- Healy's Hundred Helps Australia to Record Chase
- Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
- Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers
It needed up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their batters to possess a record if not afforded the possibility.
In the end, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her debut and seven world titles have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
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 ensured her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort can be debated.
Many contend the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was far harder to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because it appeared I've had no rhythm at all," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive nature activate and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was in motion.
"An opportunity to take the field and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
Once she was out her side needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the confidence to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, should it happen, we believe we can achieve it."
That comment will be the last rival teams at this World Cup want to hear.
In recent days a sense they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this victory coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
So great is her will, she later said she wanted to have participated through the pain.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have postponed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as skipper.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.