The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for Australia to set fresh records.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, those for the record chasers, are all that remain for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if not afforded the chance.
Finally, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to create her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Many contend the argument supporting final game tension. Others can counter with the test that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What is certain is this ton was far harder to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this innings came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in the nets, it has been a disappointing period because I feel like my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"However when you take the field, your competitive instincts take over and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
A single came off the opening delivery and from there Healy was underway.
"An opportunity to take the field and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
When she was out Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the assurance to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if we do, we believe we can succeed."
That comment will be the final thing rival teams at this tournament want to hear.
During the last week a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this success coming after win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
However although she later admitted those injuries have postponed thoughts of retirement, this championship is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as leader.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.