Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The top summits have already been conquered.
We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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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 exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It is hard for their batters to possess a record if not afforded the opportunity.
In the end, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her debut and seven international trophies have followed from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "drove 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 title decider and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fail again.
Whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.
Certain people claim the argument supporting championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this knock followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in the nets, it's been a challenging time because it seemed my form was missing completely," commented Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts take over and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and after that the right-hander was underway.
"A chance to play and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
Once she was out her side needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, should it happen, we believe we can achieve it."
That comment will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup want to hear.
In recent days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this triumph succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing despite the injury.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have postponed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as skipper.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.