Australia 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 already been conquered.
We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the record chasers, are what's still available for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their hitters to possess a record if never given the chance.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to create her newest gem.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted 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 made 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
If this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Many contend the reasoning behind final game tension. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in the nets, it has been a disappointing period because it seemed I've had no rhythm at all," said Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and after that Healy was in motion.
"An opportunity to go out there and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
Once she was removed Australia needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the confidence to do that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we believe we can achieve it."
That comment will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup need to hear.
During the last week a belief they will win from any position has grown stronger - this victory succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wished she had played through the pain.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have delayed plans to retire, this championship is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as skipper.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.
