The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The top summits have already been conquered.
We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, those for the peak baggers, are what's still available for a team that has won it all.
- Healy's Century Aids Australia to Record Chase
- ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
- Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers
It needed as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It is hard for their batsmen to hold a record if never given the opportunity.
In the end, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a chance 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 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her bow and seven global championships have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
If this latest epic knock topped that previous effort is debatable.
Certain people claim the case for final game tension. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because it appeared I lacked timing completely," commented Healy.
"But once you step out on the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was on her way.
"The possibility to take the field and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
By the time she was removed Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the assurance to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, should it happen, we believe we can achieve it."
These statements will be the last Australia's opponents at this championship want to hear.
During the last week a feeling they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this victory coming after success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals 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 led her country for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have postponed plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as leader.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.