Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
This is the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, those for the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a team that has won it all.
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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 largest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their hitters to maintain a record if never given the opportunity.
Finally, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to deliver her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory came three months after her debut and seven world titles have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the argument supporting final game tension. Some might respond with the test that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was considerably tougher to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this innings came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it's been a frustrating experience because it appeared I've had no rhythm at all," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive nature activate and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has always been her great strength - and a priceless quality in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and from there Healy was in motion.
"The possibility to go out there and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.
When she was out her side needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if we do, we believe we can do it."
These statements will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this tournament should hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will win from any position has grown stronger - this victory succeeding win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
It was at that stage they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at an important competition.
So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wished she had played through the pain.
However although she later admitted those fitness problems have delayed consideration of ending her career, this championship is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper.
Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.