Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for Australia to set fresh records.
The top summits have long been mastered.
We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the record chasers, are the only things left for a squad that has won it all.
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The fact it required up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It's difficult for their batters to maintain a record if not afforded the possibility.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to create her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have come from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
If this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display is debatable.
Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was far harder to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it was a disappointing period because I feel like I lacked timing at all," commented Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature activate and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and after that the right-hander was in motion.
"The possibility to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
Once she was out her side required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the confidence to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if necessary, we are confident we can succeed."
That comment will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this tournament need to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this triumph coming after win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
During that phase they exited 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 captained her nation for the initial instance at a major tournament.
Such is her determination, she later said she regretted not playing through the pain.
But while she afterwards confessed those physical issues have delayed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as captain.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.
