Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.
This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the record chasers, are what's still available for a side that has achieved everything.
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The fact it required as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their batters to possess a record if never given the possibility.
Finally, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to produce her newest gem.
Then best known as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her bow and seven world titles have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was much more difficult to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in the nets, it's been a frustrating experience because I feel like my form was missing completely," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you take the field, your fighting spirit activate and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was in motion.
"A chance to play and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
When she was dismissed the team needed 66 more at one run per ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we believe we can achieve it."
These statements will be the last competing nations at this tournament should hear.
In recent days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this victory succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
It was at that stage they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
But while she later admitted those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.