Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for Australia to break new ground.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, targeted by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It's challenging for their batsmen to possess a record if not provided the chance.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to create her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her bow and seven world titles have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.
Whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort can be debated.
Some will argue the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was far harder to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this knock came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because it appeared I've had no rhythm at all," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit kick in and you completely engage with the match."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the right-hander was in motion.
"An opportunity to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
When she was out the team needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the confidence to do that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if we do, we believe we can do it."
That comment will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this World Cup should hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this success coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.
Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this tournament is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as skipper.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.
