The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a team that has achieved everything.
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It needed until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It is hard for their batsmen to maintain a record if not afforded the opportunity.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to create her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia didn't secure 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 championship victory came three months after her debut 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 setback by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort is debatable.
Some will argue the case for the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the challenge 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 Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this innings was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in the nets, it was a frustrating experience because I feel like my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your fighting spirit take over and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her key asset - and a priceless quality in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and after that the batsman was on her way.
"A chance to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
When she was removed Australia required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the assurance to do that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if necessary, we are confident we can do it."
These statements will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this World Cup should hear.
During the last week a feeling they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this triumph succeeding win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at an important competition.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing despite the injury.
However although she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have postponed plans to retire, this tournament is expected to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as leader.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.