Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's a challenge for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The top summits have already been conquered.
We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a squad that has achieved everything.
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That it took as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their batsmen to maintain a record if not provided the possibility.
Finally, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to produce her newest gem.
Then best known as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her bow and seven international trophies have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.
That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 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 exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.
Many contend the argument supporting 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's definite is this ton was considerably tougher to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it was a challenging time because it seemed my form was missing completely," commented Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature take over and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her key asset - and a priceless quality in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from there the batsman was in motion.
"An opportunity to play and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
Once she was out her side required another 66 at one run per ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we are confident we can do it."
These statements will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this World Cup need to hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this triumph following victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.
Such is her determination, she later said she wished she had played through the pain.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this championship is expected to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.