The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a side that has won it all.
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That it took as late as Sunday's success 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, in truth, a testament to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the possibility.
Finally, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
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 final and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in the nets, it has been a frustrating experience because it appeared my form was missing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your fighting spirit take over and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
A single came off the opening delivery and after that the batsman was underway.
"An opportunity to play and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was removed Australia needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the assurance to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we are confident we can achieve it."
These statements will be the final thing rival teams at this tournament want to hear.
In recent days a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this success following success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wished she had played despite the injury.
But while she later admitted those fitness problems have delayed plans to retire, this championship is expected to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as skipper.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.