The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are the only things left for a team that has achieved everything.
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It needed as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It's challenging for their batters to maintain a record if not afforded the possibility.
In the end, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 championship victory came three months after her bow and seven international trophies have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
If this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.
Certain people claim the case for final game tension. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What is certain is this hundred was much more difficult to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this innings 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's been a disappointing period because it seemed I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts activate and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from that point Healy was on her way.
"An opportunity to play and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, sort of got me going," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
Once she was out the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we know we can succeed."
That comment will be the last competing nations at this World Cup want to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will win from any position has become more firm - this success coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she regretted not playing through the pain.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have delayed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as captain.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.