The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, those for the record chasers, are the only things left for a squad that has won it all.
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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 above 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their hitters to hold a record if not afforded the possibility.
In the end, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to create her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her debut and seven world titles have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fall short again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this performance came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it's been a challenging time because it seemed my form was missing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"But once you step out on the field, your competitive nature kick in and you completely engage with the match."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her key asset - and a priceless quality in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that Healy was underway.
"An opportunity to take the field and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
By the time she was removed her side needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the belief to do that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we know we can achieve it."
Those words will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this tournament want to hear.
In recent days a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this success coming after success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
It was in the semi-finals they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wished she had played through the pain.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as skipper.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.