Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, those for the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their batters to hold a record if never given the chance.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to deliver her newest gem.
Then best known as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her debut and seven global championships 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 momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
Whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the reasoning behind final game tension. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was far harder to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because I feel like my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"But once you step out on the field, your fighting spirit take over and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her key asset - and a priceless quality in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from there the right-hander was in motion.
"An opportunity to play and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
When she was removed Australia required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the belief to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if we do, we are confident we can do it."
These statements will be the last rival teams at this tournament should hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this triumph coming after victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a significant event.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing through the pain.
But while she afterwards confessed those physical issues have postponed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a global event as captain.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.