The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a team that has achieved everything.
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That it took as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their hitters to hold a record if not afforded the chance.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to create her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
If this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Some will argue the argument supporting final game tension. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was considerably tougher to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this performance came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it's been a frustrating experience because it appeared my form was missing whatsoever," said Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit kick in and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing legendary former captain 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 Gaud's first delivery and from that point the right-hander was on her way.
"An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, sort of got me going," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
When she was out Australia required another 66 at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the assurance to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, should it happen, we know we can succeed."
That comment will be the last Australia's opponents at this tournament should hear.
In recent days a belief they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this success succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wished she had played despite the injury.
But while she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.