Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad that has won it all.
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It needed as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the highest in the women's 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 batters to hold a record if never given the opportunity.
Finally, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to create her newest gem.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her bow and seven international trophies have followed from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.
That loss "motivated 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 championship match and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fall short again.
If this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What is certain is this hundred was far harder to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this innings was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it was a challenging time because I feel like I lacked timing completely," stated Healy.
"But once you step out on the field, your fighting spirit activate and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her key asset - 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 every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the right-hander was underway.
"A chance to go out there and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun that way, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
When she was dismissed her side needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the confidence to achieve that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we are confident we can succeed."
These statements will be the final thing rival teams at this championship want to hear.
During the last week a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this triumph succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing despite the injury.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have postponed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is expected to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a global event as leader.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.
