Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their batsmen to hold a record if not afforded the possibility.
Finally, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a chance to create her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not come up short.
Whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this knock came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in training, it was a disappointing period because it appeared I lacked timing at all," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit kick in and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her key asset - and a priceless quality in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and from there the right-hander was in motion.
"A chance to go out there and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was out the team needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the assurance to do that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we believe we can do it."
These statements will be the last Australia's opponents at this World Cup want to hear.
During the last week a feeling they will win from any position has grown stronger - this triumph succeeding success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the previous 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 initial instance at an important competition.
So great is her will, she later said she wished she had played with the discomfort.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this championship is expected to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as captain.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.