The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.
The top summits have long been mastered.
This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the peak baggers, are what's still available for a team that has won it all.
- Healy's Ton Aids Australia to Record Chase
- Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
- Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers
It needed until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It is hard for their batters to hold a record if not afforded the chance.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her debut and seven world titles have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.
Many contend the argument supporting championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was far harder to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've been watching me in the nets, it was a disappointing period because I feel like I lacked timing at all," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts take over and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and after that Healy was on her way.
"An opportunity to play and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
By the time she was removed her side needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the belief to achieve that now," stated Healy further.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if we do, we know we can do it."
That comment will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this tournament need to hear.
In recent days a belief they will win from any position has grown stronger - this triumph succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
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 in the semi-finals they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wished she had played despite the injury.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have delayed plans to retire, this tournament is likely to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a global event as skipper.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.
