The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
This is the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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The fact it required until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the pitchers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It's challenging for their hitters to maintain a record if not afforded the chance.
In the end, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a platform to create her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her bow and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Some will argue the case for final game tension. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was far harder to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this knock came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because it appeared my form was missing at all," stated Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
A single came off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was on her way.
"An opportunity to play and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
When she was removed Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the belief to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if we do, we believe we can succeed."
Those words will be the final thing rival teams at this World Cup want to hear.
In recent days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this victory following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at an important competition.
So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated through the pain.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have postponed plans to retire, this championship is likely to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as leader.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.