Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the peak baggers, are what's still available for a team that has won it all.
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It needed as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It's challenging for their batters to possess a record if never given the possibility.
In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to produce her newest gem.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory came three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.
If this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was far harder to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it's been a disappointing period because it seemed I lacked timing at all," commented Healy.
"But once you take the field, your competitive nature kick in and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and after that the right-hander was in motion.
"The possibility to go out there and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
When she was dismissed the team needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the confidence to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, should it happen, we know we can do it."
Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this tournament should hear.
In recent days a feeling they will win from any position has grown stronger - this victory coming after win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wished she had played through the pain.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as captain.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.