The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.
The top summits have already been conquered.
This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the peak baggers, are what's still available for a squad that has won it all.
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It needed until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their hitters to maintain a record if never given the chance.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to create her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
Whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind final game tension. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's clear is this ton was considerably tougher to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this knock came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in the nets, it's been a disappointing period because I feel like I lacked timing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"However when you take the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you just lock into the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her key asset - and a priceless quality in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and from that point Healy was underway.
"The possibility to play and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, sort of got me going," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
By the time she was out Australia needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the belief to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if necessary, we are confident we can do it."
That comment will be the last Australia's opponents at this tournament should hear.
During the last week a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this triumph coming after win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they left the prior 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 guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
So great is her will, she later said she regretted not playing through the pain.
But while she afterwards confessed those injuries have postponed thoughts of retirement, this championship is expected to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as captain.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.