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 already been conquered.
This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and once went over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the record chasers, are the only things left for a team that has achieved everything.
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The fact it required as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It's challenging for their hitters to hold a record if not afforded the opportunity.
Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her bow and seven global championships have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort can be debated.
Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What is certain is this ton was much more difficult to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've observed me in training, it's been a disappointing period because I feel like my form was missing completely," said Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your fighting spirit activate and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the right-hander was in motion.
"A chance to play and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was dismissed the team required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the confidence to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we are confident we can do it."
Those words will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup need to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will win from any position has grown stronger - this victory coming after success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing despite the injury.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as skipper.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.
