The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are what's still available for a squad that has achieved everything.
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That it took as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It is hard for their hitters to hold a record if never given the chance.
Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy being given a platform to create her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her debut and seven global championships have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort is debatable.
Many contend the case for championship match pressure. Some might respond 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 much more difficult to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in the nets, it was a disappointing period because I feel like I've had no rhythm at all," commented Healy.
"However when you take the field, your competitive instincts activate and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
A single came off the opening delivery and from there Healy was in motion.
"An opportunity to take the field and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
Once she was removed her side needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the assurance to do that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if we do, we know we can succeed."
These statements will be the final thing competing nations at this tournament want to hear.
In recent days a sense they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this victory following success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
During that phase they left last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
But while she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this championship is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.