The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The top summits have already been conquered.
We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the record chasers, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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The fact it required up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the pitchers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It's challenging for their batters to possess a record if never given the possibility.
Finally, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting a chance to produce her newest gem.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her debut and seven international trophies have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
Whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display is debatable.
Some will argue the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was considerably tougher to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this innings came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in the nets, it's been a frustrating experience because it appeared my form was missing at all," commented Healy.
"But once you step out on the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and a priceless quality in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and after that the right-hander was in motion.
"An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
Once she was removed the team required another 66 at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the confidence to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if we do, we are confident we can succeed."
That comment will be the last rival teams at this World Cup should hear.
In recent days a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance 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 delayed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.
