Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the record chasers, are what's still available for a team that has achieved everything.
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It needed until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It is hard for their batters to maintain a record if not provided the possibility.
Finally, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a chance to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her debut and seven world titles have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.
The question of whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was much more difficult to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this performance 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 the nets, it was a frustrating experience because I feel like my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your fighting spirit take over and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from there the right-hander was in motion.
"A chance to take the field and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
By the time she was removed the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm happy we have the confidence to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if necessary, we believe we can do it."
These statements will be the last competing nations at this tournament should hear.
During the last week a feeling they will win from any position has become more firm - this success coming after success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain.
But while she afterwards confessed those injuries have postponed thoughts of retirement, this championship is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as skipper.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.