The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and once went over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a side that has achieved everything.
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That it took up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It's challenging for their batters to possess a record if not afforded the possibility.
In the end, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to deliver her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory came three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Many contend the argument supporting 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 clear is this hundred was much more difficult to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in training, it has been a disappointing period because it seemed I lacked timing completely," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive nature take over and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled 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 this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the right-hander was underway.
"An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
By the time she was removed her side needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the belief to accomplish that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if we do, we know we can do it."
Those words will be the last Australia's opponents at this World Cup need to hear.
In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this victory coming after win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
It was in the semi-finals they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she wished she had played through the pain.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have postponed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is likely to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as leader.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.