Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, those for the record chasers, are all that remain for a squad that has won it all.
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The fact it required as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their batsmen to maintain a record if not provided the possibility.
Finally, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to create her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have resulted from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
If this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort can be debated.
Some will argue the case for the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was far harder to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this performance 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 the nets, it's been a disappointing period because it seemed my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive nature take over and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from there the right-hander was in motion.
"An opportunity to go out there and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was dismissed Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the belief to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we know we can succeed."
That comment will be the last Australia's opponents at this tournament want to hear.
During the last week a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this victory coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have delayed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.