Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
This is the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the record chasers, are all that remain for a team that has won it all.
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The fact it required as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their hitters to maintain a record if not afforded the chance.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her bow and seven global championships have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the argument supporting championship match pressure. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What is certain is this hundred was much more difficult to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared I've had no rhythm at all," commented Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature activate and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her great strength - and a priceless quality in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and from there the batsman was underway.
"The possibility to go out there and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun that way, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
Once she was removed Australia required another 66 at one run per ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the assurance to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we know we can achieve it."
These statements will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this tournament need to hear.
In recent days a sense they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this triumph coming after success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face 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 exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have postponed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as captain.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.