The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
We're talking about the unit 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 remaining milestones, targeted by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their batsmen to hold a record if not provided the chance.
In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her debut and seven world titles have resulted from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.
That loss "motivated 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 title decider and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the case for final game tension. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was far harder to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this innings came after six matches 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 the nets, it has been a challenging time because it appeared I lacked timing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"But once you take the field, your competitive nature take over and you completely engage with the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and from there the batsman was on her way.
"The possibility to go out there and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
When she was dismissed her side required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if we do, we believe we can succeed."
Those words will be the last competing nations at this World Cup should hear.
In recent days a sense they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this triumph succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing despite the injury.
But while she later admitted those fitness problems have delayed thoughts of retirement, this championship is expected to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as leader.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.