Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the peak baggers, are the only things left for a side that has won it all.
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That it took up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the pitchers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It's challenging for their hitters to hold a record if not afforded the chance.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting a platform to produce her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her bow and seven world titles have come from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not come up short.
Whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort 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 raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was far harder to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in the nets, it was a challenging time because it seemed I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature take over and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her key asset - and a priceless quality in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the batsman was in motion.
"The possibility to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
When she was removed Australia needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the assurance to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if we do, we are confident we can do it."
Those words will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this World Cup need to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this triumph succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wished she had played through the pain.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as captain.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.
