The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, targeted by the record chasers, are the only things left for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed up to 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 compliment to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It is hard for their hitters to hold a record if not provided the chance.
Finally, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to deliver her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her bow and seven global championships have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
If this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Certain people claim the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was considerably tougher to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in the nets, it has been a disappointing period because it appeared my form was missing completely," said Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit kick in and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from there the batsman was underway.
"An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was out Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the belief to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if necessary, we know we can do it."
That comment will be the last Australia's opponents at this championship need to hear.
During the last week a sense they will win from any position has only strengthened - this triumph coming after victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wished she had played with the discomfort.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this championship is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as skipper.
Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.