Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for Australia to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.
This is the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, 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 victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It's challenging for their batters to hold a record if not provided the possibility.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting a chance to create her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her bow and seven world titles have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
If this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Many contend the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was much more difficult to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this knock was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it's been a disappointing period because it appeared my form was missing completely," stated Healy.
"However when you take the field, your fighting spirit activate and you just lock into the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and after that the batsman was underway.
"A chance to play and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
By the time she was dismissed her side needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the confidence to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, should it happen, we know we can achieve it."
These statements will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this tournament need to hear.
In recent days a belief they will win from any position has grown stronger - this victory succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a major tournament.
Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated through the pain.
However although she later admitted those fitness problems have postponed plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as captain.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.
