Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the record chasers, are what's still available for a side that has won it all.
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That it took as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their batsmen to hold a record if not provided the opportunity.
Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a chance to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation didn't secure 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 came three months after her debut and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was much more difficult to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in the nets, it has been a frustrating experience because it seemed my form was missing at all," said Healy.
"But once you step out on the field, your fighting spirit activate and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and a priceless quality in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and from that point Healy was on her way.
"A chance to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun that way, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
When she was removed her side required another 66 at run per delivery - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the belief to accomplish that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we are confident we can succeed."
Those words will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this World Cup want to hear.
In recent days a feeling they will win from any position has grown stronger - this triumph following success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
During that phase they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as skipper.
Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.