The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and once went over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the peak baggers, are the only things left for a squad that has achieved everything.
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That it took until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, reclaiming 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 past 50 years.
It's challenging for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the opportunity.
In the end, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her debut and seven world titles have followed from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fail again.
If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.
Certain people claim the argument supporting championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was much more difficult to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this knock was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in the nets, it was a frustrating experience because I feel like I've had no rhythm completely," stated Healy.
"However when you take the field, your competitive instincts activate and you just lock into the match."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and from there the batsman was underway.
"An opportunity to take the field and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
By the time she was dismissed her side needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the assurance to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if we do, we believe we can achieve it."
These statements will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this championship need to hear.
During the last week a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this victory coming after win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at an important competition.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have postponed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as skipper.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.