Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the chance.
Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to produce her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her debut and seven global championships have resulted from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the run of success.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
Whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind final game tension. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was much more difficult to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it has been a disappointing period because I feel like I lacked timing completely," stated Healy.
"However when you take the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her key asset - 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, out to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the right-hander was in motion.
"The possibility to take the field and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself that way, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
Once she was dismissed her side required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the assurance to achieve that now," stated Healy further.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if we do, we know we can achieve it."
That comment will be the final thing rival teams at this championship should hear.
During the last week a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this success following success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at an important competition.
So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have postponed consideration of ending her career, this championship 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.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.