Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, those for the record chasers, are the only things left for a side that has achieved everything.
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It needed as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It's challenging for their hitters to possess a record if not afforded the opportunity.
In the end, the result of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to deliver her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her bow and seven world titles have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the reasoning behind championship match pressure. 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 hundred was far harder to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this knock was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in the nets, it's been a challenging time because I feel like I lacked timing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit kick in and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her key asset - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and from that point Healy was underway.
"A chance to play and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
By the time she was out the team required another 66 at one run per ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the confidence to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we know we can succeed."
That comment will be the last competing nations at this tournament should hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this success succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they left last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing despite the injury.
However although she afterwards confessed those physical issues have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this tournament is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a global event as skipper.
Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.