The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the record chasers, are what's still available for a team that has won it all.
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That it took up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It's challenging for their batsmen to hold a record if never given the chance.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her debut and seven global championships have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted 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 scored 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not come up short.
Whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was considerably tougher to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this knock was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it has been a challenging time because I feel like I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your fighting spirit activate and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and after that the right-hander was underway.
"The possibility to take the field and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was removed her side needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the confidence to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if we do, we know we can do it."
Those words will be the last competing nations at this championship need to hear.
During the last week a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this victory coming after success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
However although she later admitted those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this championship is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as captain.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.