Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and once went over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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The fact it required up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their hitters to maintain a record if not provided the possibility.
Ultimately, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given a platform to deliver her most recent brilliance.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory came three months after her bow and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not come up short.
Whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was considerably tougher to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this innings was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it has been a challenging time because it appeared I lacked timing at all," commented Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit take over and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
A single came off the opening delivery and after that Healy was underway.
"A chance to play and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself that way, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
Once she was out Australia needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the belief to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if we do, we are confident we can do it."
These statements will be the final thing rival teams at this World Cup want to hear.
In recent days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this success following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she later said she wished she had played despite the injury.
However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as leader.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.