The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for Australia to set fresh records.
The top summits have long been mastered.
This is the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the peak baggers, are what's still available for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It is hard for their batters to hold a record if never given the chance.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her first appearance 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 setback by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "pushed 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 awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fail again.
Whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the reasoning behind final game tension. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was much more difficult to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in the nets, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed I lacked timing at all," stated Healy.
"But once you take the field, your competitive instincts take over and you just lock into the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
A single came off the opening delivery and after that the right-hander was on her way.
"A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
By the time she was out the team required another 66 at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the belief to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if we do, we know we can succeed."
These statements will be the final thing rival teams at this World Cup need to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will win from any position has grown stronger - this victory coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing despite the injury.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have delayed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.