The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a side that has won it all.
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It needed until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It is hard for their hitters to possess a record if never given the chance.
Ultimately, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a chance to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her debut and seven international trophies have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the run of success.
That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Many contend the case for final game tension. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was much more difficult to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings 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 training, it has been a disappointing period because it appeared my form was missing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit activate and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and after that the right-hander was underway.
"The possibility to go out there and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
When she was out Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I am glad we have the confidence to accomplish that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, should it happen, we know we can succeed."
That comment will be the last Australia's opponents at this championship want to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this triumph following success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.
Such is her determination, she later said she wished she had played despite the injury.
But while she afterwards confessed those physical issues have postponed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as captain.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.