Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the record chasers, are what's still available for a team that has won it all.
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The fact it required up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their batsmen to hold a record if not provided the chance.
In the end, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a chance to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not come up short.
If this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Many contend the argument supporting final game tension. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What is certain is this ton was much more difficult to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as 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 failed to pass 30.
"If you've observed me in the nets, it has been a challenging time because I feel like my form was missing completely," commented Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive nature kick in and you just lock into the match."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the batsman was underway.
"An opportunity to go out there and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
By the time she was dismissed her side needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we know we can do it."
These statements will be the last rival teams at this championship need to hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this victory succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
During that phase they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a significant event.
So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
But while she later admitted those fitness problems have postponed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.