Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.
This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the record chasers, are what's still available for a side that has won it all.
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That it took until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their batsmen to possess a record if never given the chance.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to deliver her newest gem.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her bow and seven international trophies have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.
That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.
Many contend the argument supporting championship match pressure. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this knock was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it has been a disappointing period because I feel like I lacked timing whatsoever," said Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your competitive instincts activate and you just lock into the match."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her great strength - and a priceless quality in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
A single came off the opening delivery and from there the right-hander was on her way.
"The possibility to take the field and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
When she was out the team needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the belief to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if we do, we are confident we can achieve it."
Those words will be the last competing nations at this championship want to hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will win from any position has grown stronger - this success succeeding win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she later said she wished she had played through the pain.
But while she later admitted those fitness problems have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as leader.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.
