The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The top summits have long been mastered.
We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a side that has won it all.
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That it took up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their hitters to maintain a record if never given the chance.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to produce her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her bow and seven global championships have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fail again.
If this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the argument supporting final game tension. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've been watching me in training, it's been a disappointing period because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive nature kick in and you just lock into the match."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her key asset - 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, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and after that the batsman was on her way.
"A chance to go out there and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
Once she was out her side needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the belief to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, should it happen, we know we can succeed."
Those words will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this World Cup want to hear.
During the last week a sense they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this triumph succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
But while she later admitted those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as leader.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.
