The Australian Team 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 already been conquered.
This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the record chasers, are all that remain for a squad that has achieved everything.
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It needed as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over five decades.
It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if not afforded the chance.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 tries across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the run of success.
That loss "drove 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 awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fail again.
If this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Many contend the argument supporting final game tension. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in the nets, it was a frustrating experience because it seemed my form was missing at all," said Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was on her way.
"An opportunity to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
By the time she was removed her side needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if we do, we are confident we can achieve it."
These statements will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this World Cup want to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will win from any position has become more firm - this success coming after victory over 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 ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing through the pain.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have delayed thoughts of retirement, 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 skipper.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.