Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and once went over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, targeted by the record chasers, are what's still available for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It's challenging for their hitters to hold a record if never given the possibility.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to create her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her debut and seven world titles have followed from 10 tries across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
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 made sure her country would not fall short again.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was far harder to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it was a challenging time because it seemed my form was missing at all," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts take over and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her key asset - and a priceless quality in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and after that the batsman was on her way.
"An opportunity to play and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.
By the time she was dismissed the team required another 66 at run per delivery - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the belief to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if we do, we believe we can succeed."
These statements will be the last Australia's opponents at this tournament want to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this success following win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she later said she wished she had played despite the injury.
But while she later admitted those injuries have postponed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as leader.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.