Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
This is the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad that has achieved everything.
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The fact it required until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their hitters to maintain a record if not provided the opportunity.
Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to deliver her newest gem.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country couldn't capture 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 World Cup win came three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have followed from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not come up short.
Whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Many contend the case for final game tension. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this innings was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive nature activate and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's competitiveness 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 rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and from that point Healy was on her way.
"The possibility to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
When she was out her side needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if necessary, we are confident we can achieve it."
Those words will be the last Australia's opponents at this tournament should hear.
During the last week a sense they will win from any position has only strengthened - this success succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.
During that phase they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she wished she had played through the pain.
Yet even as she later admitted those physical issues have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this tournament is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as skipper.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.