Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.
This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are the only things left 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 complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their hitters to maintain a record if never given the opportunity.
Finally, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut 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 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fail again.
If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.
Some will argue the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was far harder to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've observed me in training, it was a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm whatsoever," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive nature activate and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was in motion.
"A chance to play and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself that way, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
Once she was out her side needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the assurance to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if necessary, we know we can do it."
These statements will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this tournament need to hear.
During the last week a feeling they will win from any position has grown stronger - this success succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they left last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing despite the injury.
Yet even as she later admitted those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this tournament 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 bring her to the top of her final mountain.