Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The top summits have long been mastered.
This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the peak baggers, are all that remain for a team that has won it all.
- Healy's Century Aids Australia to Historic Pursuit
- ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
- Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers
The fact it required up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It is hard for their batters to maintain a record if not afforded the possibility.
Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to deliver her most recent brilliance.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her debut and seven world titles have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.
The question of whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort is debatable.
Some will argue the case for the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was much more difficult to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in training, it was a disappointing period because it appeared I lacked timing whatsoever," said Healy.
"However when you take the field, your competitive instincts take over and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was in motion.
"An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
By the time she was out Australia required another 66 at run per delivery - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the assurance to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we believe we can achieve it."
These statements will be the final thing rival teams at this World Cup need to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing through the pain.
However although she later admitted those fitness problems have delayed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as skipper.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.