The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the record chasers, are what's still available for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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The fact it required until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if never given the chance.
Ultimately, the result of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a chance to produce her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her debut and seven international trophies have come from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 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 surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What is certain is this hundred was much more difficult to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in the nets, it was a challenging time because it appeared my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"But once you take the field, your competitive nature take over and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and after that the right-hander was in motion.
"An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.
When she was dismissed the team required another 66 at run per delivery - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if necessary, we are confident we can succeed."
That comment will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this tournament want to hear.
During the last week a belief they will win from any position has only strengthened - this success following win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss 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 an important competition.
Such is her determination, she later said she regretted not playing despite the injury.
Yet even as she later admitted those injuries have delayed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as captain.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.