The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a side that has achieved everything.
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The fact it required up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It's difficult for their batters to hold a record if not afforded the opportunity.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given a platform to produce her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her bow and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fall short again.
Whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the argument supporting final game tension. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was much more difficult to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in the nets, it has been a frustrating experience because it appeared my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your fighting spirit activate and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was underway.
"A chance to play and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.
By the time she was dismissed the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the belief to do that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we are confident we can succeed."
These statements will be the final thing rival teams at this championship want to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will win from any position has grown stronger - this success following success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
But while she later admitted those injuries have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as leader.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.