Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
This is the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the record chasers, are what's still available for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if never given the opportunity.
In the end, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to deliver her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her debut and seven international trophies have come from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fail again.
If this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was much more difficult to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this innings was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've observed me in the nets, it's been a disappointing period because it appeared I lacked timing at all," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive nature take over and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her key asset - and a priceless quality in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent 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 from that point Healy was on her way.
"The possibility to play and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun that way, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was dismissed the team required another 66 at one run per ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the assurance to do that now," continued Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if we do, we know we can achieve it."
Those words will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this championship need to hear.
During the last week a feeling they will win from any position has only strengthened - this success succeeding win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they exited last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
However although she afterwards confessed those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as skipper.
Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.
