Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the peak baggers, are the only things left for a team that has won it all.
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It needed until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It's challenging for their hitters to maintain a record if not afforded the opportunity.
In the end, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy being given a chance to create her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her debut and seven world titles have resulted from 10 tries across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
If this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Certain people claim the argument supporting final game tension. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was far harder to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this knock followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in the nets, it was a challenging time because it appeared my form was missing at all," commented Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive nature kick in and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has always been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
A single came off the opening delivery and after that the right-hander was underway.
"A chance to take the field and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
By the time she was dismissed Australia needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the assurance to do that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, should it happen, we are confident we can succeed."
These statements will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this tournament want to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
During that phase they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as skipper.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.
