Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the record chasers, are all that remain for a team that has achieved everything.
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The fact it required up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It's challenging for their batsmen to possess a record if not provided the opportunity.
In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her most recent brilliance.
Originally famous as the young family member of renowned former 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.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
Whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the case for the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in the nets, it was a disappointing period because it appeared I lacked timing at all," commented Healy.
"But once you step out on the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from there the batsman was underway.
"The possibility to play and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself that way, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
Once she was out the team required another 66 at run per delivery - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the assurance to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if necessary, we know we can do it."
That comment will be the last Australia's opponents at this championship need to hear.
In recent days a belief they will win from any position has only strengthened - this triumph coming after win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they left the prior 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 guided Australia for the initial instance at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have postponed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as captain.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.
