Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, targeted by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowlers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It is hard for their hitters to maintain a record if not provided the possibility.
In the end, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to deliver her most recent brilliance.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former 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 seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fail again.
If this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort can be debated.
Some will argue the argument supporting championship match pressure. Some might respond with the test that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was considerably tougher to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this performance 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 been watching me in training, it's been a frustrating experience because it appeared my form was missing completely," commented Healy.
"However when you take the field, your fighting spirit take over and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her great strength - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from there the batsman was underway.
"A chance to play and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
Once she was dismissed the team needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we are confident we can succeed."
Those words will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this championship want to hear.
During the last week a feeling they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory following win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
It was in the semi-finals they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this championship is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as captain.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.