Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for Australia to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, targeted by the record chasers, are what's still available for a squad that has achieved everything.
- Healy's Hundred Assists Australia to Record Chase
- Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
- Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers
That it took up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It is hard for their hitters to maintain a record if never given the opportunity.
In the end, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her most recent brilliance.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her bow and seven world titles have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
Whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this hundred was much more difficult to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it's been a disappointing period because it seemed I've had no rhythm at all," stated Healy.
"But once you step out on the field, your fighting spirit take over and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently 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 the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was in motion.
"A chance to go out there and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
By the time she was dismissed the team needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the belief to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we believe we can succeed."
That comment will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this championship want to hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will win from any position has only strengthened - this victory coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wished she had played despite the injury.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those injuries have delayed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a global event as skipper.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.
