Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the peak baggers, are what's still available for a side that has won it all.
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That it took until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowlers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It is hard for their batters to hold a record if not afforded the opportunity.
Finally, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to produce her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country 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 happened three months after her bow and seven international trophies have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort can be debated.
Some will argue the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this ton was considerably tougher to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared I lacked timing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts take over and you completely engage with the match."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
A single came off the opening delivery and after that Healy was in motion.
"The possibility to play and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
When she was dismissed Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the belief to achieve that now," stated Healy further.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if necessary, we know we can achieve it."
These statements will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup want to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this triumph succeeding win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
However although she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have delayed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as captain.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.