The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the record chasers, are what's still available for a team that has won it all.
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It needed up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if never given the chance.
In the end, the result of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to deliver her most recent brilliance.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over 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 bow and seven world titles have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fall short again.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was considerably tougher to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this innings came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it was a challenging time because it seemed I lacked timing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"But once you take the field, your fighting spirit take over and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was underway.
"An opportunity to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
When she was removed Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the belief to accomplish that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we believe we can do it."
Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup want to hear.
In recent days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this triumph coming after success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they left the previous 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 inaugural occasion at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing through the pain.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have postponed consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as captain.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.
