Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the record chasers, are what's still available for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their batters to maintain a record if never given the opportunity.
In the end, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given a chance to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her bow and seven world titles have come from 10 tries across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fall short again.
If this latest epic knock topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was far harder to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this knock followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in the nets, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed I lacked timing completely," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive instincts activate and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's competitive nature has always been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and after that the batsman was underway.
"An opportunity to play and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, sort of got me going," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
By the time she was out her side needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if necessary, we know we can succeed."
These statements will be the last competing nations at this tournament 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 runs despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at an important competition.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this championship is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as skipper.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.