Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The top summits have long been mastered.
This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It's challenging for their batsmen to hold a record if never given the opportunity.
Finally, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a platform to deliver her newest gem.
Then best known as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her bow and seven global championships have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not come up short.
Whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.
Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was far harder to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it was a disappointing period because it appeared my form was missing completely," said Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts activate and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.
A single came off the opening delivery and from that point the right-hander was underway.
"An opportunity to go out there and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun that way, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
When she was removed the team needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the confidence to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if we do, we are confident we can achieve it."
These statements will be the last rival teams at this World Cup want to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this triumph coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they left last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have delayed thoughts of retirement, this championship is likely to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as captain.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.