Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
This is the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a squad that has won it all.
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That it took up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their batsmen to maintain a record if not provided the opportunity.
Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a platform to produce her newest gem.
Then best known as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her bow and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 tries across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
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 ensured her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the case for championship match pressure. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was much more difficult to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this performance followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it has been a challenging time because it seemed my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit activate and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from there the right-hander was underway.
"An opportunity to take the field and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
By the time she was dismissed her side required another 66 at one run per ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the confidence to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if we do, we know we can do it."
That comment will be the last rival teams at this World Cup need to hear.
During the last week a belief they will win from any position has only strengthened - this victory following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents 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 were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
But while she afterwards confessed those physical issues have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as leader.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.