Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It's challenging for their batsmen to maintain a record if never given the possibility.
In the end, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to deliver her newest gem.
Then best known as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her debut and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 tries across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
Whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort can be debated.
Many contend the case for final game tension. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's clear is this ton was much more difficult to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this innings came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it has been a challenging time because it seemed I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive nature activate and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's competitive nature has always been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from that point Healy was on her way.
"A chance to go out there and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, sort of got me going," commented Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
By the time she was dismissed Australia needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the confidence to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we are confident we can do it."
That comment will be the last Australia's opponents at this World Cup want to hear.
In recent days a sense they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory succeeding success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she later said she wished she had played despite the injury.
However although she afterwards confessed those physical issues have pushed back plans to retire, this championship is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.