Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the record chasers, are what's still available for a side that has achieved everything.
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That it took as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their hitters to possess a record if not afforded the opportunity.
Finally, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to create her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her bow and seven international trophies have come from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed 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 made sure her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display is debatable.
Many contend the case for championship match pressure. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this performance followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in training, it has been a disappointing period because it seemed I lacked timing at all," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the match."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was on her way.
"An opportunity to play and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
When she was removed the team needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the assurance to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if we do, we know we can achieve it."
These statements will be the final thing competing nations at this championship want to hear.
During the last week a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this success following success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with 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 left last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
So great is her will, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have postponed plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as captain.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.
