The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's a challenge for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the record chasers, are the only things left for a team that has won it all.
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That it took until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their batsmen to possess a record if never given the chance.
Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to create her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her debut and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fall short again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort can be debated.
Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in the nets, it was a challenging time because I feel like my form was missing completely," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts take over and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and after that the right-hander was on her way.
"A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
By the time she was dismissed her side required another 66 at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the belief to achieve that now," stated Healy further.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, should it happen, we know we can succeed."
Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this tournament should hear.
In recent days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this success coming after win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated through the pain.
But while she afterwards confessed those physical issues have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is expected to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a global event as skipper.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.