The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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The fact it required until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over five decades.
It is hard for their hitters to maintain a record if not afforded the opportunity.
Finally, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a platform to create her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her debut and seven global championships have followed from 10 tries across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the argument supporting championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was far harder to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, 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 training, it's been a disappointing period because it seemed my form was missing at all," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the right-hander was underway.
"The possibility to go out there and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
Once she was dismissed Australia needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the belief to accomplish that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, should it happen, we are confident we can succeed."
That comment will be the last competing nations at this World Cup want to hear.
In recent days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this victory coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
It was in the semi-finals they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to 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 wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this tournament is anticipated as her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as leader.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.