The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The top summits have long been mastered.
We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the record chasers, are what's still available for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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The fact it required up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their batters to maintain a record if not afforded the opportunity.
In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her debut and seven world titles have followed from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Many contend the case for final game tension. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in training, it has been a challenging time because it seemed I've had no rhythm at all," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive nature take over and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was in motion.
"An opportunity to go out there and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was removed Australia needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I am glad we have the assurance to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if necessary, we believe we can do it."
These statements will be the last competing nations at this tournament want to hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this success following success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they left last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she later said she wished she had played through the pain.
However although she later admitted those physical issues have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as captain.
Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.