The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, targeted by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a side that has achieved everything.
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That it took up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It's difficult for their hitters to hold a record if never given the chance.
Ultimately, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a chance to deliver her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her bow and seven global championships have come from 10 tries across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not come up short.
If this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's clear is this ton was much more difficult to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it's been a frustrating experience because I feel like I lacked timing completely," stated Healy.
"But once you take the field, your competitive nature take over and you just lock into the match."
Healy's competitive nature has always been her key asset - and a priceless quality in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was underway.
"An opportunity to play and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
By the time she was dismissed her side required another 66 at run per delivery - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs 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, should it happen, we believe we can achieve it."
That comment will be the last Australia's opponents at this World Cup need to hear.
During the last week a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this triumph coming after success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she later said she regretted not playing through the pain.
But while she afterwards confessed those injuries have postponed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is likely to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as skipper.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.