Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a team that has achieved everything.
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It needed as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over five decades.
It is hard for their batters to hold a record if not provided the opportunity.
Finally, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to create her newest gem.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 championship victory came three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the run of success.
That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.
Many contend the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Some might respond 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 much more difficult to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this knock came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it has been a challenging time because it appeared I lacked timing at all," commented Healy.
"But once you take the field, your competitive nature kick in and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her major advantage - 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 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from that point Healy was underway.
"The possibility to take the field and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself that way, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
By the time she was removed Australia required another 66 at one run per ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the belief to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if necessary, we know we can achieve it."
That comment will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup want to hear.
During the last week a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this victory following success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
During that phase they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing despite the injury.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this championship is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as captain.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.
