The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The top summits have already been conquered.
We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are all that remain for a team that has achieved everything.
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That it took up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the pitchers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It's challenging for their batsmen to hold a record if not afforded the opportunity.
In the end, the result of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to deliver her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her debut and seven world titles have resulted from 10 efforts 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 "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.
Whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was considerably tougher to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this knock was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared I lacked timing whatsoever," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and from there the right-hander was underway.
"An opportunity to take the field and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
When she was dismissed her side needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I am glad we have the assurance to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if we do, we are confident we can do it."
That comment will be the last Australia's opponents at this championship should hear.
During the last week a feeling they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this triumph coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have pushed back plans to retire, this championship is likely to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as captain.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.