Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the record chasers, are the only things left for a team that has won it all.
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It needed up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their hitters to hold a record if never given the opportunity.
Ultimately, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her debut and seven international trophies have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.
The question of whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the case for final game tension. Some might respond 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 see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in the nets, it's been a disappointing period because it seemed I've had no rhythm completely," stated Healy.
"But once you step out on the field, your fighting spirit take over and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her key asset - and a priceless quality in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from there Healy was on her way.
"An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
When she was removed Australia required another 66 at run per delivery - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the confidence to do that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, should it happen, we are confident we can do it."
Those words will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this tournament need to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this success coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
It was at that stage they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have postponed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is likely to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as captain.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.
