The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, targeted by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their hitters to maintain a record if not provided the chance.
In the end, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to create her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her debut 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 "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.
Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this ton was far harder to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this knock followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in the nets, it has been a frustrating experience because it seemed my form was missing at all," commented Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit kick in and you just lock into the match."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her key asset - and a priceless quality in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from that point Healy was in motion.
"A chance to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
Once she was out Australia required another 66 at one run per ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the assurance to accomplish that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we know we can do it."
These statements will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup want to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this success following win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they exited last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing despite the injury.
Yet even as she later admitted those physical issues have delayed thoughts of retirement, this championship is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.