Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It's challenging for their hitters to possess a record if never given the possibility.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to deliver her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her debut and seven international trophies have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's clear is this ton was much more difficult to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this innings followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in the nets, it has been a challenging time because I feel like I've had no rhythm completely," said Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from that point Healy was on her way.
"The possibility to go out there and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself that way, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
Once she was out her side needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we are confident we can succeed."
Those words will be the last rival teams at this tournament should hear.
In recent days a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this triumph following success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as skipper.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.