The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
This is the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the record chasers, are what's still available for a squad that has achieved everything.
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It needed as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their hitters to possess a record if never given the chance.
In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her most recent brilliance.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her bow and seven international trophies have come from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the run of success.
That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Many contend the argument supporting championship match pressure. Some might respond with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this innings was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because it appeared I lacked timing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your competitive instincts take over and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has always been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the right-hander was in motion.
"A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was removed Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if necessary, we know we can succeed."
These statements will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup want to hear.
During the last week a sense they will win from any position has grown stronger - this victory coming after win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this tournament is anticipated as her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper.
Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.
