The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for Australia to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a side that has achieved everything.
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That it took as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their hitters to maintain a record if not provided the possibility.
In the end, the result of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her most recent brilliance.
Originally famous as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory came three months after her bow and seven global championships have resulted from 10 tries across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper 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 reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fall short again.
If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What is certain is this hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this innings was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in training, it has been a disappointing period because it appeared my form was missing whatsoever," said Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from there the right-hander was underway.
"The possibility to take the field and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
Once she was dismissed her side required another 66 at one run per ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to accomplish that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, should it happen, we know we can succeed."
These statements will be the last rival teams at this World Cup should hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will win from any position has only strengthened - this success succeeding success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated through the pain.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have delayed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as leader.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.