Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for Australia to set fresh records.
The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.
This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It is hard for their batsmen to possess a record if never given the possibility.
Finally, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
Whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Some will argue the reasoning behind final game tension. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was much more difficult to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in the nets, it was a disappointing period because it seemed I lacked timing at all," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit activate and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and after that the right-hander was on her way.
"The possibility to go out there and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was out the team required another 66 at one run per ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the belief to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we know we can do it."
These statements will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this championship want to hear.
During the last week a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this triumph coming after success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.
During that phase they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
Yet even as she later admitted those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this championship is likely to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as captain.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.
