The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
This is the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a team that has won it all.
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It needed as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It is hard for their batsmen to maintain a record if never given the opportunity.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to produce 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 couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her debut and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
If this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this ton was considerably tougher to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this knock followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in the nets, it has been a disappointing period because it appeared I've had no rhythm at all," commented Healy.
"However when you take the field, your competitive nature take over and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was underway.
"A chance to take the field and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
When she was dismissed the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the belief to accomplish that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, should it happen, we are confident we can achieve it."
These statements will be the last competing nations at this tournament should hear.
In recent days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this victory following victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wished she had played through the pain.
Yet even as she later admitted those injuries have postponed plans to retire, this championship is anticipated as her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.