Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The top summits have long been mastered.
This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a team that has achieved everything.
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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 biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It is hard for their batters to maintain a record if never given the chance.
Finally, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to produce her newest gem.
Originally famous as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory came three months after her debut and seven world titles have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fail again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Many contend the argument supporting final game tension. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was much more difficult to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when 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 observed me in training, it's been a challenging time because I feel like I lacked timing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"But once you step out on the field, your fighting spirit activate and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and after that the right-hander was underway.
"A chance to play and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
Once she was dismissed her side needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the confidence to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, should it happen, we know we can do it."
Those words will be the last rival teams at this championship need to hear.
During the last week a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this victory coming after win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they left last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback 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.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated through the pain.
Yet even as she later admitted those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as captain.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.