Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the peak baggers, are what's still available for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their batters to hold a record if not provided the opportunity.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting a chance to create her newest gem.
Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her bow and seven international trophies have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the run of success.
That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort is debatable.
Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. Others can counter with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this innings came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it has been a challenging time because it appeared my form was missing at all," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive nature activate and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was underway.
"The possibility to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
By the time she was dismissed Australia needed 66 more at run per delivery - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the assurance to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if necessary, we believe we can do it."
That comment will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this championship should hear.
During the last week a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those injuries have delayed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is anticipated as her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as leader.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.