The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the record chasers, are the only things left for a squad that has achieved everything.
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The fact it required as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.
It is hard for their batsmen to possess a record if not provided the possibility.
In the end, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her bow 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 defeat by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was far harder to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this knock followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it's been a disappointing period because it seemed I lacked timing whatsoever," said Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your fighting spirit take over and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the right-hander 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," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
When she was removed Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the confidence to accomplish that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if necessary, we know we can succeed."
These statements will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup want to hear.
During the last week a sense they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this success succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a major tournament.
Such is her determination, she later said she regretted not playing despite the injury.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have pushed back plans to retire, this tournament is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as skipper.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.
