Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, those for the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a team that has won it all.
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The fact it required until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their hitters to hold a record if not provided the chance.
In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a chance to produce her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior 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 followed from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fail again.
If this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was much more difficult to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this innings was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've been watching me in training, it's been a disappointing period because it appeared my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her great strength - and a priceless quality in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from there the right-hander was in motion.
"The possibility to go out there and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
Once she was dismissed her side needed 66 more at one run per ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the confidence to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if necessary, we are confident we can succeed."
These statements will be the last competing nations at this tournament need to hear.
During the last week a sense they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this triumph succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
However although she later admitted those fitness problems have postponed thoughts of retirement, this championship is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as captain.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.