Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, targeted by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a team that has achieved everything.
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It needed as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It is hard for their hitters to hold a record if not afforded the possibility.
Finally, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to create her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her bow and seven international trophies have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
If this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the argument supporting final game tension. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was far harder to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this innings came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it has been a challenging time because it appeared I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts take over and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her key asset - and a priceless quality in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from that point Healy was on her way.
"An opportunity to take the field and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
Once she was out Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the belief to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if necessary, we are confident we can achieve it."
That comment will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup should hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will win from any position has only strengthened - this triumph succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wished she had played through the pain.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have delayed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is expected to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as skipper.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.