The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for Australia to set fresh records.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if never given the chance.
Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy being given a chance to create her newest gem.
Originally famous as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her debut and seven world titles have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.
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 fall short again.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Some will argue the case for championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this hundred was far harder to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this innings followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've been watching me in the nets, it's been a frustrating experience because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," stated Healy.
"But once you take the field, your competitive nature take over and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was in motion.
"The possibility to take the field and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
By the time she was dismissed the team needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the assurance to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we know we can succeed."
That comment will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup should hear.
In recent days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this victory following victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at an important competition.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wished she had played with the discomfort.
But while she later admitted those fitness problems have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as captain.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.
