The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a side that has won it all.
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The fact it required until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their batters to hold a record if not afforded the chance.
In the end, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to create her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
Whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Some will argue the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this ton was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as 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 the nets, it has been a challenging time because I feel like my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts activate and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her key asset - and a priceless quality in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was underway.
"An opportunity to go out there and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
By the time she was out the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the confidence to do that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we are confident we can achieve it."
Those words will be the last Australia's opponents at this championship need to hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will win from any position has grown stronger - this victory following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they were eliminated from last 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 guided Australia for the first time at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing through the pain.
However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as leader.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.