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 been successfully scaled.
This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the record chasers, are what's still available for a side that has achieved everything.
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It needed up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.
It is hard for their hitters to possess a record if not afforded the possibility.
Finally, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to deliver her most recent brilliance.
Originally famous as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her bow and seven world titles have come from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
Whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display is debatable.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this ton was much more difficult to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this knock came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in the nets, it's been a disappointing period because I feel like I lacked timing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you just lock into the match."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her great strength - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
A single came off the opening delivery and after that the batsman was underway.
"The possibility to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun that way, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
When she was removed the team required another 66 at one run per ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if we do, we know we can do it."
These statements will be the last Australia's opponents at this World Cup want to hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this success coming after win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
But while she afterwards confessed those physical issues have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is likely to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a global event as captain.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.
