Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the peak baggers, are all that remain for a side that has achieved everything.
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That it took until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their batsmen to maintain a record if never given the opportunity.
Finally, the result of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a platform to create her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have come from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the argument supporting final game tension. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was much more difficult to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this knock came after six matches 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's been a frustrating experience because I feel like I lacked timing whatsoever," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and after that the right-hander was on her way.
"The possibility to take the field and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
Once she was removed the team required another 66 at run per delivery - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the belief to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if we do, we know we can succeed."
That comment will be the final thing rival teams at this championship want to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will win from any position has become more firm - this success coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she wished she had played through the pain.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those injuries have postponed plans to retire, this World Cup is likely to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as captain.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.
