Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
This is the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the peak baggers, are all that remain for a side that has won it all.
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It needed up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It's difficult for their batsmen to hold a record if not provided the opportunity.
Finally, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to create her most recent brilliance.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her debut and seven global championships have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.
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 ensured her country would not come up short.
If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.
Some will argue the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What is certain is this ton was considerably tougher 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 over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in training, it's been a frustrating experience because I feel like I lacked timing at all," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive nature activate and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her key asset - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was underway.
"The possibility to go out there and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
By the time she was dismissed her side needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the confidence to accomplish that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, should it happen, we know we can do it."
Those words will be the last Australia's opponents at this tournament want to hear.
In recent days a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this triumph coming after win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she wished she had played with the discomfort.
However although she later admitted those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a global event as skipper.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.