Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, targeted by the record chasers, are all that remain for a team that has achieved everything.
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That it took until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It's difficult for their batsmen to possess a record if never given the chance.
Ultimately, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given a chance to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have come from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the next 50-over 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.
Whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Many contend the argument supporting championship match pressure. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What is certain is this hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it's been a frustrating experience because it appeared I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy.
"However when you take the field, your competitive nature activate and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has always been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that Healy was on her way.
"An opportunity to take the field and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, sort of got me going," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
When she was removed Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, should it happen, we are confident we can succeed."
These statements will be the last rival teams at this tournament should hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will win from any position has grown stronger - this success succeeding win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they exited last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated through the pain.
Yet even as she later admitted those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as leader.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.
