The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
This is the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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The fact it required up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the opportunity.
Finally, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to deliver her newest gem.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory came three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped 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 championship match and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fail again.
If this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.
Many contend the case for championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was much more difficult to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in training, it was a challenging time because it seemed my form was missing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"However when you take the field, your fighting spirit take over and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the right-hander was underway.
"The possibility to play and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.
When she was removed Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the confidence to accomplish that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if we do, we know we can achieve it."
That comment will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup want to hear.
During the last week a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this success following victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wished she had played through the pain.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as captain.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.