Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a team that has won it all.
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That it took up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their batsmen to maintain a record if not afforded the possibility.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to create her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
Whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Many contend the reasoning behind final game tension. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was much more difficult to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this innings came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in the nets, it was a challenging time because it appeared I've had no rhythm at all," stated Healy.
"However when you take the field, your fighting spirit take over and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from that point Healy was on her way.
"A chance to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun that way, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
By the time she was removed Australia required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the belief to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if we do, we know we can succeed."
Those words will be the last competing nations at this tournament need to hear.
In recent days a sense they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this victory succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing through the pain.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in ODI 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.