Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the peak baggers, are what's still available for a squad that has won it all.
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The fact it required until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their batsmen to maintain a record if never given the chance.
In the end, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to create her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her debut and seven world titles have come from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
If this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was considerably tougher to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it's been a challenging time because it seemed I've had no rhythm at all," commented Healy.
"However when you take the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her great strength - and a priceless quality in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from there Healy was on her way.
"The possibility to go out there and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was dismissed her side needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the belief to do that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, should it happen, we are confident we can do it."
Those words will be the last competing nations at this World Cup should hear.
During the last week a feeling they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this triumph succeeding success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
Yet even as she later admitted those physical issues have pushed back plans to retire, this championship is likely to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as leader.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.