Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, targeted by the record chasers, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their batters to hold a record if never given the chance.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her debut and seven international trophies have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.
If this latest epic knock topped that previous effort can be debated.
Some will argue the reasoning behind final game tension. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was considerably tougher to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, 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's been a challenging time because I feel like I've had no rhythm whatsoever," said Healy.
"But once you take the field, your competitive instincts take over and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has always been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.
A single came off the opening delivery and from there Healy was on her way.
"A chance to take the field and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
When she was removed the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I am glad we have the belief to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if we do, we are confident we can succeed."
That comment will be the last competing nations at this World Cup need to hear.
During the last week a feeling they will win from any position has only strengthened - this success following success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the previous 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 led her country for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wished she had played with the discomfort.
But while she afterwards confessed those physical issues have postponed thoughts of retirement, this championship is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as leader.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.