Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are what's still available for a team that has won it all.
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It needed as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their batsmen to hold a record if not afforded the chance.
In the end, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy being given a chance to produce her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her bow and seven international trophies have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there 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 commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
If this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Many contend the case for final game tension. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What is certain is this ton was far harder to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in training, it was a disappointing period because I feel like I lacked timing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"However when you take the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and after that the batsman was on her way.
"An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
Once she was out her side needed 66 more at run per delivery - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the confidence to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if we do, we are confident we can achieve it."
That comment will be the last competing nations at this championship need to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this success coming after success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated through the pain.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as skipper.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.
