Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for Australia to break new ground.
The top summits have already been conquered.
This is the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the pitchers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It's difficult for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the possibility.
Finally, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former 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 witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her bow and seven global championships have come from 10 attempts 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 reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not come up short.
If this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the case for the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was far harder to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in the nets, it has been a disappointing period because it seemed my form was missing at all," stated Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive nature activate and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and after that the batsman was on her way.
"A chance to take the field and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.
When she was out the team needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the belief to do that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we are confident we can succeed."
Those words will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup should hear.
During the last week a sense they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this triumph following victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
It was at that stage they left last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion 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 pushed back consideration of ending her career, this championship is expected to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as captain.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.