The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days 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 up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their batsmen to maintain a record if not afforded the opportunity.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a platform to produce her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her debut and seven world titles have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Certain people claim the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was much more difficult to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings came after six matches 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 I feel like I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy.
"However when you take the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you completely engage with the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and after that the batsman was in motion.
"An opportunity to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
Once she was removed Australia needed 66 more at run per delivery - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to do that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, should it happen, we know we can do it."
These statements will be the final thing rival teams at this championship should hear.
In recent days a sense they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this victory following success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing despite the injury.
But while she later admitted those fitness problems have delayed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as leader.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.