The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a squad that has won it all.
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That it took as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It is hard for their hitters to possess a record if never given the opportunity.
Finally, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting a chance to create her newest gem.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous 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 championship-filled years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
If this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was much more difficult to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in training, it's been a challenging time because it appeared I've had no rhythm whatsoever," stated Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and after that Healy was underway.
"An opportunity to go out there and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
When she was removed Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to do that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, should it happen, we are confident we can succeed."
Those words will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup need to hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this victory succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory 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 likely be confirmed.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
Yet even as she later admitted those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is likely to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as skipper.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.