Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed until Sunday's victory 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, honestly, a compliment to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their batters to hold a record if not afforded the opportunity.
In the end, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her most recent brilliance.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her bow and seven global championships have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "motivated 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 final and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the case for the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What is certain is this hundred was far harder to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this innings followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm at all," commented Healy.
"But once you step out on the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
A single came off the opening delivery and from there the right-hander was in motion.
"The possibility to play and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
When she was dismissed Australia required another 66 at one run per ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the confidence to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if necessary, we are confident we can achieve it."
These statements will be the final thing rival teams at this tournament want to hear.
During the last week a belief they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this triumph following victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
During that phase they exited last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as skipper.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.
