Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for Australia to break new ground.
The top summits have long been mastered.
We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the peak baggers, are the only things left for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
- Healy's Ton Helps Australia to Record Chase
- ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
- Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers
The fact it required until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their hitters to hold a record if never given the chance.
Finally, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to deliver her most recent brilliance.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her debut and seven world titles have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
If this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort can be debated.
Certain people claim the argument supporting final game tension. Some might respond 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 far harder to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in the nets, it has been a frustrating experience because it seemed my form was missing completely," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive instincts take over and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from 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 all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was on her way.
"An opportunity to play and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
Once she was out Australia required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the belief to achieve that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if necessary, we know we can do it."
That comment will be the final thing competing nations at this championship need to hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this triumph succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.
During that phase they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she later said she wanted to have participated through the pain.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this tournament is likely to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as leader.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.