Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for Australia to set fresh records.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the record chasers, are all that remain for a team that has won it all.
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It needed until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their batsmen to hold a record if never given the opportunity.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to deliver her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have followed from 10 tries across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fail again.
If this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort is debatable.
Some will argue the case for the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in the nets, it was a disappointing period because it appeared my form was missing completely," said Healy.
"But once you step out on the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you just lock into the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that Healy was on her way.
"The possibility to play and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself that way, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
Once she was removed the team needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the confidence to accomplish that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if necessary, we know we can succeed."
That comment will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this championship should hear.
In recent days a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this triumph coming after success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.
During that phase they were eliminated from 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 guided Australia 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 fitness problems have postponed plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as leader.
Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.
