Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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The fact it required until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It's challenging for their batsmen to maintain a record if never given the possibility.
Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to create her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her debut and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 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 latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was much more difficult to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction 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 not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in the nets, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive instincts activate and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and from there the batsman was on her way.
"A chance to play and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
When she was out the team required another 66 at one run per ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the confidence to achieve that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we know we can do it."
Those words will be the final thing rival teams at this tournament need to hear.
In recent days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory following victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wished she had played through the pain.
But while she afterwards confessed those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this championship is likely to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as captain.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.
