The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for Australia to break new ground.
The top summits have already been conquered.
We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the record chasers, are what's still available for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It is hard for their batters to hold a record if never given the possibility.
Finally, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to deliver her newest gem.
Then best known as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have followed from 10 tries across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not come up short.
If this latest epic knock topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Many contend the argument supporting final game tension. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was far harder to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in training, it was a challenging time because it seemed my form was missing at all," said Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive nature activate and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and after that Healy was on her way.
"A chance to go out there and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
When she was removed Australia needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the belief to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if we do, we believe we can do it."
Those words will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this championship want to hear.
In recent days a belief they will win from any position has only strengthened - this success following win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she later said she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
Yet even as she later admitted those fitness problems have delayed consideration of ending her career, this championship is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as captain.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.