The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a side that has won it all.
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It needed as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It is hard for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the opportunity.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a chance to produce her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have followed from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Certain people claim the argument supporting championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was much more difficult to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in the nets, it has been a disappointing period because I feel like I lacked timing completely," commented Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit kick in and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from there Healy was underway.
"An opportunity to take the field and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
Once she was out the team needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the assurance to do that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if we do, we believe we can achieve it."
Those words will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup want to hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this triumph coming after win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she later said she wanted to have participated through the pain.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this tournament is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.