The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the record chasers, are what's still available for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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The fact it required as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their batsmen to hold a record if never given the possibility.
Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to produce her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.
That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fall short again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the case for final game tension. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was considerably tougher to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock 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 practice sessions, it was a disappointing period because I feel like my form was missing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit activate and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the right-hander was in motion.
"The possibility to play and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
When she was dismissed her side needed 66 more at run per delivery - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the belief to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, should it happen, we are confident we can succeed."
Those words will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this tournament want to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this success succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
It was at that stage they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
However although she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have delayed plans to retire, this tournament is expected to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as leader.
Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.