The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a team that has won it all.
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It needed until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their batsmen to maintain a record if not provided the possibility.
Finally, the result of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy getting a platform to produce her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her bow and seven global championships have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fail again.
If this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Many contend the argument supporting final game tension. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was considerably tougher to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it has been a disappointing period because it appeared I lacked timing completely," commented Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your fighting spirit take over and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.
A single came off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was underway.
"The possibility to go out there and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
When she was dismissed her side needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, should it happen, we are confident we can do it."
Those words will be the last competing nations at this championship need to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will win from any position has only strengthened - this triumph coming after victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing through the pain.
Yet even as she later admitted those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as captain.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.