The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The top summits have already been conquered.
We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, those for the record chasers, are what's still available for a side that has won it all.
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The fact it required up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It's difficult for their batsmen to possess a record if not provided the possibility.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to create her newest gem.
Then best known as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her debut and seven global championships have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Many contend the case for final game tension. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this ton was much more difficult to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in training, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed I lacked timing completely," stated Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your fighting spirit take over and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from that point Healy was in motion.
"An opportunity to take the field and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
When she was dismissed the team needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if we do, we are confident we can succeed."
Those words will be the last Australia's opponents at this tournament need to hear.
In recent days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this triumph coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they left the prior 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 led her country for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have postponed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is expected to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as leader.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.