The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the record chasers, are what's still available for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their hitters to possess a record if never given the opportunity.
Finally, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her most recent brilliance.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her debut and seven global championships have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. 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. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this knock followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it's been a challenging time because it seemed I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature kick in and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her key asset - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from there Healy was underway.
"The possibility to take the field and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
When she was dismissed her side needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the confidence to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if necessary, we believe we can do it."
These statements will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup need to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will win from any position has only strengthened - this success succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a significant event.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wished she had played with the discomfort.
However although she later admitted those physical issues have postponed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as leader.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.