The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for Australia to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a side that has won it all.
- Healy's Hundred Helps Australia to Historic Pursuit
- ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
- Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers
It needed as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It's difficult for their batsmen to possess a record if not provided the possibility.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her bow and seven world titles have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not come up short.
If this latest epic knock topped that previous effort can be debated.
Many contend the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was far harder to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this innings followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in training, it has been a frustrating experience because it appeared I've had no rhythm at all," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive instincts activate and you completely engage with the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her key asset - and a priceless quality in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from there Healy was in motion.
"An opportunity to go out there and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun that way, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
By the time she was dismissed the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the belief to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we are confident we can do it."
These statements will be the last competing nations at this championship should hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a significant event.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated through the pain.
But while she later admitted those fitness problems have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as captain.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.