The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the record chasers, are all that remain for a side 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 over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It's challenging for their batsmen to hold a record if not afforded the possibility.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to create her newest gem.
Then best known as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her debut and seven international trophies have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the run of success.
That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.
If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.
Some will argue the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was considerably tougher to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this performance 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 training, it has been a disappointing period because it seemed my form was missing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive instincts take over and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her great strength - and a priceless quality in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and after that Healy was in motion.
"An opportunity to take the field and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
When she was dismissed Australia required another 66 at one run per ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the belief to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we are confident we can do it."
That comment will be the last Australia's opponents at this championship should hear.
In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this success following success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a significant event.
So great is her will, she later said she wished she had played despite the injury.
However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as captain.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.