The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's a challenge for Australia to set fresh records.
The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.
This is the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their batsmen to possess a record if never given the chance.
In the end, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a platform to deliver her most recent brilliance.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden 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 in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the next 50-over World Cup 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 fall short again.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the case for the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was far harder to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in the nets, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed I lacked timing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"However when you take the field, your competitive instincts activate and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from that point Healy was in motion.
"A chance to go out there and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun that way, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
Once she was removed her side needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if we do, we are confident we can achieve it."
That comment will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this tournament should hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will win from any position has become more firm - this success succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a significant event.
So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated through the pain.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this championship is likely to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as skipper.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.