Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad that has achieved everything.
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It needed until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if not afforded the possibility.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to deliver her newest gem.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her bow and seven international trophies have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not come up short.
Whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the reasoning behind final game tension. Some might respond with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this ton was considerably tougher to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this innings was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it's been a disappointing period because it appeared my form was missing completely," commented Healy.
"But once you take the field, your fighting spirit activate and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her great strength - and a priceless quality in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and after that the batsman was underway.
"The possibility to play and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was out the team needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the belief to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we believe we can achieve it."
Those words will be the last competing nations at this tournament need to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this success succeeding win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated through the pain.
But while she afterwards confessed those injuries have delayed thoughts of retirement, this championship is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a global event as leader.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.