Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for Australia to break new ground.
The top summits have long been mastered.
This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the peak baggers, are what's still available for a squad that has won it all.
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That it took as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowlers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It's challenging for their batsmen to hold a record if not provided the chance.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have followed from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fail again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the argument supporting final game tension. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it has been a disappointing period because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your fighting spirit take over and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
A single came off the opening delivery and from that point the right-hander was on her way.
"A chance to go out there and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
When she was removed her side needed 66 more at one run per ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to accomplish that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, should it happen, we believe we can achieve it."
These statements will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this World Cup need to hear.
During the last week a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this triumph succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
It was in the semi-finals they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wished she had played with the discomfort.
However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have delayed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as captain.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.