Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
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 unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a side that has achieved everything.
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That it took until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It's challenging for their hitters to maintain a record if not afforded the possibility.
Finally, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to produce her most recent brilliance.
Originally famous as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation 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 international trophies have come 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 "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fall short again.
Whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Many contend the case for final game tension. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was far harder to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this innings 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 practice sessions, it was a disappointing period because it seemed my form was missing at all," stated Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit activate and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was underway.
"A chance to go out there and face the challenge 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 a World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was removed Australia needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if we do, we know we can succeed."
That comment will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this World Cup need to hear.
During the last week a belief they will win from any position has grown stronger - this triumph succeeding win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals 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 previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as skipper.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.