Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, targeted by the record chasers, are the only things left for a squad that has achieved everything.
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That it took as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their batters to maintain a record if never given the chance.
Finally, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to produce her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her bow and seven global championships have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not come up short.
Whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was far harder to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this performance came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because it appeared I lacked timing at all," stated Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.
A single came off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was on her way.
"The possibility to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
Once she was removed her side required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the confidence to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, should it happen, we know we can achieve it."
That comment will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this tournament should hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will win from any position has only strengthened - this victory following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a major tournament.
Such is her determination, she later said she wished she had played despite the injury.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have postponed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as captain.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.