Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for Australia to set fresh records.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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The fact it required until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their batters to maintain a record if not provided the opportunity.
In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a platform to create her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 championship victory came three months after her debut and seven global championships have come from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort is debatable.
Many contend the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What is certain is this hundred was far harder to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm whatsoever," said Healy.
"However when you take the field, your fighting spirit take over and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has always been her great strength - and a priceless quality in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was in motion.
"A chance to take the field and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun that way, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
When she was removed the team required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the confidence to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if we do, we are confident we can achieve it."
That comment will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this World Cup want to hear.
During the last week a sense they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this success following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.
It was at that stage they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing despite the injury.
But while she afterwards confessed those injuries have postponed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as skipper.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.