The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.
This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and once went over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a side that has achieved everything.
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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 above 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It's challenging for their hitters to possess a record if never given the opportunity.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her bow and seven international trophies have come from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fail again.
Whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort can be debated.
Certain people claim the argument supporting championship match pressure. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was far harder to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this innings followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in the nets, it has been a frustrating experience because it appeared I lacked timing at all," commented Healy.
"But once you take the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitive nature has always been her key asset - and a priceless quality 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 every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
A single came off the opening delivery and after that the batsman was underway.
"An opportunity to play and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
Once she was dismissed Australia required another 66 at one run per ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the assurance to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if we do, we are confident we can achieve it."
Those words will be the final thing rival teams at this World Cup should hear.
During the last week a belief they will win from any position has grown stronger - this victory succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
It was in the semi-finals they left last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain.
However although she afterwards confessed those physical issues have postponed plans to retire, this championship is expected to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as leader.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.
