Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the record chasers, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the pitchers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It's challenging for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the possibility.
In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have come from 10 tries across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fail again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the reasoning behind final game tension. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this performance was preceded by six games 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 frustrating experience because it appeared my form was missing completely," said Healy.
"But once you take the field, your fighting spirit activate and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her great strength - and a priceless quality in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was underway.
"An opportunity to take the field and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun that way, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
By the time she was removed Australia needed 66 more at run per delivery - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the assurance to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if necessary, we believe we can do it."
These statements will be the last rival teams at this championship want to hear.
During the last week a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she later said she regretted not playing despite the injury.
Yet even as she later admitted those injuries have delayed consideration of ending her career, this championship is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.