Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The top summits have already been conquered.
This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It is hard for their batters to maintain a record if not afforded the chance.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to create her newest gem.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her bow and seven international trophies have followed from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fall short again.
If this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Many contend the argument supporting final game tension. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was far harder to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this knock followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it's been a disappointing period because it appeared I lacked timing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"But once you step out on the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's competitive nature has always been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from there Healy was in motion.
"A chance to play and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
By the time she was removed Australia needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we believe we can achieve it."
These statements will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup want to hear.
During the last week a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this success coming after win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a major tournament.
Such is her determination, she later said she regretted not playing through the pain.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have delayed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as captain.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.