The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
This is the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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The fact it required until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.
It is hard for their batsmen to maintain a record if never given the possibility.
Ultimately, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to produce her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her bow and seven global championships have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the run of success.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Some will argue the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this ton was much more difficult to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in the nets, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared I lacked timing at all," stated Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
A single came off the opening delivery and after that the batsman was in motion.
"An opportunity to take the field and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, sort of got me going," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
By the time she was dismissed her side needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the belief to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we are confident we can do it."
These statements will be the final thing rival teams at this World Cup want to hear.
During the last week a sense they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this victory following success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a global event as captain.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.
