Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the record chasers, are what's still available for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their hitters to possess a record if never given the opportunity.
Finally, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her newest gem.
Originally famous as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut 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 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted 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 scored 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
Whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort is debatable.
Many contend the case for final game tension. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this ton was much more difficult to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this performance was preceded by six games 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's been a frustrating experience because it seemed I lacked timing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the match."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from there the right-hander was underway.
"A chance to play and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was dismissed the team needed 66 more at one run per ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the belief to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if we do, we are confident we can achieve it."
Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this tournament should hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this triumph following win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they left last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she later said she wanted to have participated through the pain.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have delayed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a global event as skipper.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.