The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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The fact it required up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the highest 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 batters to maintain a record if not provided the chance.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to deliver her newest gem.
Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory came three months after her debut and seven world titles have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
If this latest epic knock topped that previous effort can be debated.
Certain people claim the case for the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this hundred was much more difficult to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this innings followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in training, it's been a challenging time because I feel like I lacked timing at all," commented Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature kick in and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and after that Healy was on her way.
"An opportunity to play and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was out the team needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the belief to do that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, should it happen, we believe we can succeed."
That comment will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this championship should hear.
During the last week a feeling they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this success succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they were eliminated from the prior 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 first time at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wished she had played through the pain.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have delayed consideration of ending her career, this championship is likely to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as skipper.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.