The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The top summits have already been conquered.
We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the record chasers, are all that remain for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their hitters to maintain a record if never given the possibility.
Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to create her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her bow and seven global championships have followed from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
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 title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the case for the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was considerably tougher to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this innings came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in the nets, it has been a frustrating experience because it appeared I've had no rhythm at all," said Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive nature kick in and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
A single came off the opening delivery and after that Healy was underway.
"An opportunity to take the field and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
When she was out Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, should it happen, we know we can succeed."
These statements will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this championship should hear.
In recent days a sense they will win from any position has grown stronger - this success succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage 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 major tournament.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wished she had played through the pain.
But while she later admitted those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this championship is expected to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as leader.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.