Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's difficult for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, targeted by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a side that has won it all.
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That it took as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It's difficult for their batsmen to maintain a record if not afforded the opportunity.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy getting a platform to produce her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her debut and seven global championships have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "motivated 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 final and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fall short again.
Whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What is certain is this ton was much more difficult to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this performance followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in training, it's been a challenging time because it appeared my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her key asset - and a priceless quality in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from that point Healy was in motion.
"An opportunity to take the field and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, sort of got me going," commented Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
By the time she was dismissed Australia needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm happy we have the confidence to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if we do, we believe we can succeed."
That comment will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this tournament want to hear.
In recent days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this triumph succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated through the pain.
However although she later admitted those injuries have delayed plans to retire, this championship is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as leader.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.