The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a side that has won it all.
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That it took until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It is hard for their hitters to hold a record if not provided the opportunity.
In the end, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to create her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her debut and seven global championships have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
Whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Many contend the argument supporting championship match pressure. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What is certain is this ton was much more difficult to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this innings came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it has been a disappointing period because I feel like I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you just lock into the match."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in replacing 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 emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from there Healy was on her way.
"An opportunity to go out there and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
By the time she was dismissed the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the confidence to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, should it happen, we know we can do it."
These statements will be the last Australia's opponents at this championship should hear.
During the last week a feeling they will win from any position has become more firm - this triumph coming after win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they left last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she wished she had played with the discomfort.
However although she later admitted those physical issues have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as skipper.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.