The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark 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 unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a team that has won it all.
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The fact it required until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their batsmen to possess a record if not afforded the opportunity.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her debut and seven international trophies have come from 10 tries across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI 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 fall short again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort can be debated.
Some will argue the argument supporting championship match pressure. Others can counter with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was considerably tougher to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this performance was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in training, it's been a frustrating experience because I feel like I lacked timing completely," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive nature take over and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and after that the batsman was underway.
"A chance to go out there and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
By the time she was removed the team required another 66 at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the belief to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, should it happen, we know we can do it."
These statements will be the final thing rival teams at this tournament should hear.
During the last week a feeling they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this success following success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at an important competition.
So great is her will, she later said she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as leader.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.