Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The top summits have long been mastered.
This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and once went over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a team that has achieved everything.
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That it took up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It's difficult for their batsmen to maintain a record if not provided the opportunity.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given a chance to create her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her bow and seven global championships have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.
That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," 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 guaranteed her country would not fail again.
If this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Some will argue the case for championship match pressure. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this hundred was considerably tougher to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this performance followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it has been a disappointing period because I feel like I've had no rhythm whatsoever," said Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive nature activate and you just lock into the match."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and from that point Healy was in motion.
"The possibility to go out there and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
Once she was removed her side needed 66 more at run per delivery - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the belief to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we know we can succeed."
These statements will be the last competing nations at this championship want to hear.
During the last week a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this success following win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
It was in the semi-finals they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter 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 subsequently stated she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as leader.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.