The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, targeted by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a squad that has won it all.
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That it took as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their batters to hold a record if not afforded the possibility.
In the end, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to create her newest gem.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 championship victory came three months after her debut and seven international trophies have come from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this ton was much more difficult to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this knock came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed I lacked timing at all," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive nature take over and you just lock into the match."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and after that Healy was in motion.
"An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was out Australia required another 66 at one run per ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, should it happen, we believe we can do it."
Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup should hear.
In recent days a sense they will win from any position has grown stronger - this triumph coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she later said she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
Yet even as she later admitted those physical issues have delayed thoughts of retirement, this championship is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as leader.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.
