The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and once went over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the peak baggers, are the only things left for a side that has won it all.
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It needed 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 highest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It is hard for their batsmen to possess a record if not provided the chance.
In the end, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a chance to produce her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have come from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Certain people claim the argument supporting final game tension. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was much more difficult to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this knock followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in the nets, it's been a challenging time because it appeared my form was missing at all," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive nature kick in and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from there the batsman was in motion.
"The possibility to play and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
By the time she was dismissed her side needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the confidence to achieve that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if necessary, we believe we can achieve it."
That comment will be the last competing nations at this tournament should hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this success coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they exited last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wished she had played with the discomfort.
But while she later admitted those injuries have postponed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is likely to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as leader.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.
