The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the record chasers, are what's still available for a team 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 accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their hitters to hold a record if not afforded the possibility.
Finally, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her bow and seven global championships have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.
If this latest epic knock topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Many contend the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was far harder to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this knock followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it's been a challenging time because I feel like my form was missing at all," said Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your competitive instincts take over and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that Healy was on her way.
"The possibility to take the field and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.
Once she was removed the team needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the belief to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we believe we can succeed."
That comment will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this tournament should hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this victory succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a major tournament.
Such is her determination, she later said she wanted to have participated through the pain.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have postponed plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a global event as skipper.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.
