The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the peak baggers, are the only things left for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their batters to hold a record if not afforded the chance.
Finally, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to create her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory came three months after her debut and seven world titles have come from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.
The question of whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Many contend the case for final game tension. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was far harder to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when 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 not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in the nets, it has been a frustrating experience because it seemed my form was missing completely," commented Healy.
"However when you take the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and after that Healy was in motion.
"An opportunity to take the field and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
Once she was removed the team required another 66 at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the assurance to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if we do, we know we can succeed."
Those words will be the last rival teams at this World Cup need to hear.
During the last week a belief they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this success following success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she later said she wanted to have participated through the pain.
But while she afterwards confessed those physical issues have postponed plans to retire, this championship is expected to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.