The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and once went over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, those for the record chasers, are all that remain for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their batters to hold a record if not provided the possibility.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting a platform to create her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut 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 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fall short again.
Whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort can be debated.
Certain people claim the case for final game tension. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was much more difficult to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this innings came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in the nets, it was a challenging time because it appeared I lacked timing completely," said Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit kick in and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and from there the right-hander was in motion.
"A chance to go out there and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
When she was dismissed the team required another 66 at run per delivery - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the assurance to do that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if we do, we know we can achieve it."
That comment will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this championship should hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this triumph succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
Yet even as she later admitted those physical issues have postponed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as captain.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.