Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.
The top summits have long been mastered.
We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It is hard for their batsmen to possess a record if not provided the chance.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to create her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted 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 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her debut and seven world titles have followed from 10 attempts 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 reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
Whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display is debatable.
Some will argue the case for the pressure of a final. Some might respond 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 Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in training, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared my form was missing at all," said Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit activate and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the batsman was underway.
"A chance to take the field and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.
By the time she was out Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the belief to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if necessary, we believe we can do it."
These statements will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this championship want to hear.
During the last week a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this success coming after victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this tournament is expected to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as leader.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.
