The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a team that has achieved everything.
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That it took up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their hitters to maintain a record if not afforded the chance.
Finally, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her debut and seven world titles have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," 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 latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's clear is this ton was far harder to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've been watching me in training, it has been a challenging time because it seemed I've had no rhythm whatsoever," said Healy.
"But once you take the field, your competitive nature activate and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from there Healy was on her way.
"A chance to go out there and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
When she was out her side required another 66 at run per delivery - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the belief to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we know we can achieve it."
These statements will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup need to hear.
During the last week a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this triumph succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with 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 an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have delayed thoughts of retirement, this championship is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as skipper.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.
