Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The top summits have long been mastered.
We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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The fact it required until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their batters to hold a record if not provided the chance.
In the end, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her newest gem.
Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.
Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was much more difficult to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it was a challenging time because it appeared I lacked timing completely," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your fighting spirit take over and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
A single came off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was underway.
"A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
When she was out the team needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the confidence to do that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, should it happen, we are confident we can achieve it."
Those words will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this tournament want to hear.
In recent days a sense they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory following victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at an important competition.
So great is her will, she later said she regretted not playing through the pain.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have pushed back plans to retire, this championship is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as captain.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.