The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the record chasers, are the only things left for a team that has won it all.
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That it took as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over five decades.
It's difficult for their batsmen to hold a record if not provided the possibility.
In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to create her newest gem.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Many contend the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this hundred was much more difficult to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this knock was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in training, it was a challenging time because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's competitive nature has always been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was underway.
"The possibility to play and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.
Once she was removed Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if we do, we know we can do it."
Those words will be the last Australia's opponents at this World Cup should hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this triumph following win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing despite the injury.
But while she later admitted those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this tournament is likely to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as leader.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.