Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for Australia to set fresh records.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and once went over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the record chasers, are all that remain for a side that has achieved everything.
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It needed as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their hitters to possess a record if not afforded the opportunity.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a platform to produce her newest gem.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her debut and seven global championships have come from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the next 50-over 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 fall short again.
If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's clear is this ton was much more difficult to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in training, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature activate and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and after that Healy was in motion.
"An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
By the time she was out Australia required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the assurance to do that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, should it happen, we know we can do it."
These statements will be the final thing rival teams at this World Cup need to hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will win from any position has become more firm - this success following success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wished she had played despite the injury.
But while she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have delayed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as skipper.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.
