Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the peak baggers, 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 achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their batsmen to hold a record if never given the possibility.
Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy being given a chance to produce her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her bow and seven global championships have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup 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 fall short again.
If this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind final game tension. Others can counter with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was considerably tougher to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in training, it was a challenging time because it appeared I lacked timing at all," commented Healy.
"However when you take the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you just lock into the match."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from there Healy was underway.
"An opportunity to take the field and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
By the time she was out the team required another 66 at run per delivery - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the belief to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we believe we can achieve it."
These statements will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this championship want to hear.
In recent days a sense they will win from any position has become more firm - this success succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they left last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
However although she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this tournament is likely to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.