Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a squad that has achieved everything.
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It needed until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It is hard for their batsmen to possess a record if never given the opportunity.
Finally, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
If this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.
Some will argue the case for final game tension. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this ton was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this performance followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in training, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy.
"However when you take the field, your competitive nature take over and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit 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 young fast bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and from that point Healy was on her way.
"An opportunity to take the field and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
Once she was dismissed Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the belief to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we believe we can succeed."
These statements will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup need to hear.
In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this success succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wished she had played through the pain.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this tournament is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as captain.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.