Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The top summits have long been mastered.
We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the record chasers, are what's still available for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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The fact it required as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It is hard for their hitters to maintain a record if never given the chance.
Ultimately, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her debut and seven global championships have followed from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.
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 guaranteed her country would not come up short.
Whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Many contend the reasoning behind final game tension. Others can counter with the test that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's clear is this ton was much more difficult to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while 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 observed me in the nets, it's been a challenging time because it appeared my form was missing completely," said Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts activate and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and after that the right-hander was on her way.
"The possibility to play and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
When she was dismissed her side needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, should it happen, we know we can achieve it."
These statements will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this tournament should hear.
During the last week a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this triumph coming after win against 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 place may well be secure.
During that phase they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have postponed plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as skipper.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.
