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 highest peaks have long been mastered.
This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a squad 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 exceeding 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their hitters to possess a record if never given the opportunity.
In the end, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a chance to produce her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her bow and seven world titles have resulted from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Many contend the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What is certain is this ton was considerably tougher to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in training, it was a disappointing period because it appeared my form was missing at all," commented Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive nature kick in and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that the batsman was in motion.
"A chance to play and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
When she was dismissed the team needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the confidence to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we believe we can do it."
These statements will be the last rival teams at this championship should hear.
During the last week a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this victory succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wished she had played with the discomfort.
But while she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this tournament is expected to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as captain.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.