The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
This is the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their batsmen to hold a record if not afforded the chance.
In the end, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a platform to deliver 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 nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory came three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
If this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the argument supporting final game tension. Others can counter 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 anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this performance was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in training, it has been a challenging time because I feel like I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature take over and you just lock into the match."
Healy's competitive nature has always been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
A single came off the opening delivery and from there the right-hander was on her way.
"An opportunity to take the field and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
When she was dismissed the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the belief to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if we do, we are confident we can succeed."
That comment will be the last rival teams at this championship need to hear.
During the last week a sense they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this triumph coming after success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at an important competition.
So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wished she had played through the pain.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have delayed plans to retire, this championship is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as captain.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.