Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's a challenge for Australia to set fresh records.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and once went over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a side that has won it all.
- Healy's Ton Assists Australia to Unprecedented Chase
- Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
- Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers
The fact it required until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It's difficult for their batsmen to possess a record if not afforded the opportunity.
In the end, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to produce her newest gem.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her debut and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not come up short.
Whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. Others can counter with the test that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was considerably tougher to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this performance followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in the nets, it has been a challenging time because it seemed I've had no rhythm at all," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your fighting spirit activate and you completely engage with the match."
Healy's competitive nature has always been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was underway.
"The possibility to go out there and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was removed her side required another 66 at one run per ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the assurance to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, should it happen, we are confident we can do it."
That comment will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this tournament want to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will win from any position has only strengthened - this success coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wished she had played through the pain.
However although she later admitted those physical issues have postponed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.