The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It's challenging for their batsmen to maintain a record if not afforded the chance.
Finally, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to create her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the run of success.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort can be debated.
Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, 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 been watching me in practice sessions, it was a frustrating experience because I feel like I've had no rhythm completely," stated Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts activate and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was on her way.
"A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun that way, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
By the time she was removed the team needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the assurance to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, should it happen, we believe we can achieve it."
Those words will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this tournament should hear.
During the last week a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory succeeding success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain.
However although she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have postponed plans to retire, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as captain.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.
