Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for Australia to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.
This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are the only things left for a squad that has won it all.
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The fact it required until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the chance.
Finally, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to produce her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory came three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
Whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort is debatable.
Some will argue the argument supporting championship match pressure. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was considerably tougher to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in training, it's been a disappointing period because I feel like I lacked timing completely," stated Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit activate and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that Healy was in motion.
"An opportunity to go out there and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
When she was removed the team needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the belief to achieve that now," added 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 rival teams at this World Cup should hear.
In recent days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this triumph coming after success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated through the pain.
But while she later admitted those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as captain.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.
