The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and once went over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a team that has won it all.
- Healy's Ton Helps Australia to Historic Pursuit
- Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
- Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers
The fact it required as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It is hard for their batsmen to hold a record if not provided the opportunity.
Finally, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a platform to produce her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the young family member 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 experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have resulted from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Many contend the case for championship match pressure. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was much more difficult to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this knock was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in the nets, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed I lacked timing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts take over and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was underway.
"The possibility to go out there and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.
Once she was dismissed the team required another 66 at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm happy we have the belief to achieve that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we are confident we can do it."
These statements will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this tournament need to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this victory succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wished she had played despite the injury.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have delayed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as skipper.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.