Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a side that has won it all.
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It needed until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It's challenging for their batters to maintain a record if not afforded the opportunity.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her debut and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance 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 commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
If this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.
Certain people claim the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Some might respond 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 far harder to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in training, it's been a challenging time because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts activate and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from there the right-hander was underway.
"The possibility 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 balls - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was out the team required another 66 at one run per ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the belief to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if we do, we know we can achieve it."
Those words will be the last competing nations at this World Cup should hear.
In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this success succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she wanted to have participated through the pain.
But while she later admitted those physical issues have postponed consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as captain.
Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.
