Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, targeted by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a side that has achieved everything.
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That it took up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their batsmen to hold a record if never given the opportunity.
Ultimately, the result of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her debut and seven world titles have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the run of success.
That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Some will argue the case for the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was considerably tougher to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in training, it has been a disappointing period because it appeared I lacked timing completely," stated Healy.
"But once you step out on the field, your competitive nature take over and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her key asset - and a priceless quality in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and after that the right-hander was on her way.
"A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
Once she was out her side needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if we do, we believe we can achieve it."
Those words will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this tournament should hear.
In recent days a sense they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this triumph succeeding win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.
During that phase they exited the prior 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 led her country for the initial instance at an important competition.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated through the pain.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper.
Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.
