The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the record chasers, are the only things left for a team that has achieved everything.
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It needed until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their batsmen to possess a record if not provided the opportunity.
In the end, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to create her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display is debatable.
Some will argue the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this ton was much more difficult to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this knock came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've observed me in training, it was a challenging time because it seemed I've had no rhythm whatsoever," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive nature activate and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was in motion.
"A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
Once she was dismissed the team needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the belief to achieve that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we are confident we can achieve it."
That comment will be the final thing rival teams at this World Cup need to hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they left last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have postponed consideration of ending her career, this championship is expected to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as leader.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.