The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the record chasers, are what's still available for a team that has won it all.
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It needed until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their batters to maintain a record if never given the opportunity.
In the end, the result of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to create her newest gem.
Then best known 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 held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her debut and seven world titles have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fail again.
Whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.
Many contend the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was far harder to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in the nets, it was a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm completely," said Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your competitive instincts take over and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
A single came off the opening delivery and after that the right-hander was underway.
"The possibility to take the field and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun that way, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
When she was removed Australia required another 66 at run per delivery - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm happy we have the belief to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we know we can achieve it."
These statements will be the last Australia's opponents at this championship need to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this victory coming after success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
During that phase they left last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at an important competition.
So great is her will, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain.
Yet even as she later admitted those fitness problems have postponed 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 an international tournament as leader.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.