The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge 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, plus another six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a team that has won it all.
- Healy's Hundred Assists Australia to Record Chase
- Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
- Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers
It needed up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their hitters to maintain a record if not provided the opportunity.
Finally, the result of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What is certain is this hundred was much more difficult to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it was a challenging time because it appeared I lacked timing completely," said Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive nature take over and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and after that the right-hander was on her way.
"A chance to play and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
By the time she was removed her side required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we believe we can do it."
These statements will be the final thing rival teams at this championship need to hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this success following victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have postponed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is expected to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as captain.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.