Australia Breaks New Ground 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 won seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a side that has achieved everything.
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The fact it required as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their batters to hold a record if not afforded the possibility.
Finally, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to deliver her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
If this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Certain people claim the argument supporting championship match pressure. Some might respond with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this hundred was much more difficult to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in the nets, it's been a frustrating experience because I feel like I lacked timing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive nature kick in and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from there the batsman was in motion.
"A chance to play and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
Once she was dismissed Australia needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the confidence to achieve that now," stated Healy further.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if we do, we believe we can do it."
Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this championship want to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this success following success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is likely to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as leader.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.
