Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for Australia to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.
This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a side that has achieved everything.
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That it took as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their batsmen to hold a record if not afforded the possibility.
Finally, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to create her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fail again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was far harder to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock 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 frustrating experience because it appeared my form was missing whatsoever," said Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive nature take over and you completely engage with the match."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was on her way.
"A chance to go out there and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
Once she was removed the team needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we are confident we can achieve it."
That comment will be the final thing competing nations at this championship need to hear.
In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this success following victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a significant event.
So great is her will, she later said she wanted to have participated through the pain.
However although she later admitted those injuries have postponed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as leader.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.