The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The top summits have long been mastered.
We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the peak baggers, are the only things left for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.
It is hard for their hitters to hold a record if never given the possibility.
In the end, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her newest gem.
Originally famous as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her debut and seven world titles have resulted from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "motivated 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 named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
If this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Certain people claim the argument supporting championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was far harder to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this performance was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in the nets, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed I lacked timing completely," said Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your fighting spirit activate and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was on her way.
"A chance to take the field and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, sort of got me going," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
When she was out Australia required another 66 at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the assurance to do that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we believe we can do it."
That comment will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this championship want to hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will win from any position has only strengthened - this triumph following victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated through the pain.
However although she later admitted those physical issues have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this championship is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a global event as skipper.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.