The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, those for the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad that has won it all.
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That it took up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It's challenging for their hitters to maintain a record if never given the chance.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to create her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the following one-day championship 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.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort can be debated.
Certain people claim the case for the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the test that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this ton was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this innings came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in the nets, it's been a challenging time because I feel like I lacked timing completely," stated Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature kick in and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitive nature has always been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from there Healy was underway.
"A chance to go out there and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
When she was dismissed her side required another 66 at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the belief to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if we do, we believe we can do it."
These statements will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this World Cup want to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory coming after win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she wished she had played despite the injury.
However although she afterwards confessed those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as captain.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.