The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and once went 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 accomplished all there is.
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The fact it required up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It's challenging for their hitters to hold a record if not afforded the possibility.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to produce her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her debut and seven global championships have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
Whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Some will argue the argument supporting final game tension. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was far harder to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this innings was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've been watching me in the nets, it has been a frustrating experience because I feel like I lacked timing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts take over and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and after that the batsman was in motion.
"A chance to go out there and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
By the time she was removed her side needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we know we can do it."
That comment will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup should hear.
During the last week a feeling they will win from any position has grown stronger - this success following win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they exited last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a significant event.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated through the pain.
But while she afterwards confessed those physical issues have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this tournament is expected to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.