Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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The fact it required until 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 women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if not afforded the opportunity.
In the end, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to create her newest gem.
Originally famous as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her debut and seven world titles have come 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 run of success.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.
Whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. Some might respond with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was far harder to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this knock followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've observed me in training, it's been a challenging time because it appeared I lacked timing completely," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive nature take over and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the right-hander was underway.
"A chance to go out there and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
When she was out Australia needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the confidence to achieve that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we believe we can succeed."
That comment will be the last competing nations at this championship need to hear.
In recent days a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this success coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they left last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wished she had played despite the injury.
However although she later admitted those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this tournament is anticipated as her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as captain.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.