The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
This is the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the record chasers, are all that remain for a side that has achieved everything.
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The fact it required as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the pitchers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It's challenging for their batsmen to possess a record if not afforded the chance.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to produce her newest gem.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her bow and seven global championships have come from 10 efforts 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 commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
Whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was much more difficult to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this performance was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in training, it's been a challenging time because I feel like I lacked timing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"However when you take the field, your competitive nature activate and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from that point Healy was on her way.
"An opportunity to play and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself that way, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
By the time she was dismissed her side required another 66 at one run per ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the belief to do that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if necessary, we believe we can succeed."
Those words will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this tournament need to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory succeeding success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from last 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 captained her nation for the first time at a significant event.
So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this championship is likely to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as leader.
Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.