Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the record chasers, are what's still available for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their batters to maintain a record if never given the opportunity.
In the end, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to deliver her newest gem.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her debut and seven global championships have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed 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 championship match and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
If this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Many contend the argument supporting championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was much more difficult to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've been watching me in training, it was a disappointing period because I feel like I lacked timing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"But once you take the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her key asset - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and from there Healy was underway.
"The possibility to go out there and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
Once she was out her side needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - 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," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we are confident we can do it."
Those words will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup should hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory following success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
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 were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a major tournament.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
But while she later admitted those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as leader.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.
