Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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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, regaining their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It's challenging for their hitters to hold a record if not provided the possibility.
In the end, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to create her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her debut and seven world titles have resulted from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fall short again.
The question of whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Many contend the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was far harder to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this innings came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in training, it has been a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you just lock into the match."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was on her way.
"An opportunity to go out there and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
When she was out the team required another 66 at run per delivery - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to do that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if we do, we are confident we can do it."
That comment will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this World Cup should hear.
In recent days a sense they will win from any position has become more firm - this triumph succeeding win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
It was in the semi-finals they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she wished she had played despite the injury.
But while she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as skipper.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.