Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, targeted by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a team that has accomplished all there is.
- Healy's Ton Helps Australia to Historic Pursuit
- Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
- Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers
That it took until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It's challenging for their batters to possess a record if never given the possibility.
Finally, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to create her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have come from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fail again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Many contend the argument supporting championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was much more difficult to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this innings 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 been watching me in training, it has been a frustrating experience because it appeared I lacked timing completely," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit activate and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitive nature has always been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from that point Healy was in motion.
"The possibility to take the field and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
When she was removed the team needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the belief to accomplish that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we know we can succeed."
That comment will be the last Australia's opponents at this World Cup need to hear.
In recent days a feeling they will win from any position has grown stronger - this triumph following victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
It was at that stage they exited last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have delayed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is expected to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as skipper.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.