Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the peak baggers, are what's still available for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 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 difficult for their batsmen to possess a record if not afforded the chance.
Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to create her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her bow and seven global championships have resulted from 10 tries across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fail again.
Whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.
Many contend the case for final game tension. Some might respond with the test that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was much more difficult to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this innings was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it has been a disappointing period because it seemed I lacked timing completely," said Healy.
"However when you take the field, your fighting spirit activate and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was in motion.
"A chance to go out there and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
Once she was out her side required another 66 at run per delivery - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I am glad we have the confidence to do that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, should it happen, we know we can achieve it."
These statements will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this championship want to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this success following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a significant event.
So great is her will, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain.
But while she later admitted those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this championship is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as leader.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.
