Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the record chasers, are all that remain for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It's challenging for their hitters to maintain a record if never given the chance.
In the end, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a platform to produce her newest gem.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory came three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not come up short.
Whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Many contend the case for final game tension. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was considerably tougher to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've observed me in training, it was a disappointing period because I feel like I lacked timing completely," commented Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit activate and you completely engage with the match."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from there the batsman was on her way.
"The possibility to take the field and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
By the time she was dismissed Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the assurance to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if necessary, we are confident we can achieve it."
That comment will be the final thing rival teams at this championship should hear.
In recent days a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this triumph coming after win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
But while she afterwards confessed those physical issues have delayed plans to retire, this tournament is anticipated as her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a global event as leader.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.