The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the peak baggers, are what's still available for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their batsmen to hold a record if not afforded the possibility.
In the end, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a platform 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 failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her bow and seven international trophies have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the reasoning behind 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 definite is this hundred was much more difficult to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in training, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared I lacked timing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts take over and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the batsman was on her way.
"The possibility to go out there and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun that way, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
Once she was removed Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we are confident we can achieve it."
Those words will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this championship should hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will win from any position has only strengthened - this victory coming after win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated through the pain.
But while she afterwards confessed those physical issues have delayed plans to retire, this tournament is expected to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as skipper.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.