The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, those for the peak baggers, are the only things left for a squad that has won it all.
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It needed up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It is hard for their batters to possess a record if not provided the chance.
Finally, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to deliver her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
If this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was far harder to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this knock was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in training, it's been a frustrating experience because I feel like my form was missing at all," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive nature kick in and you just lock into the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the right-hander was underway.
"An opportunity to go out there and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
By the time she was out the team needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the confidence to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we know we can do it."
Those words will be the last competing nations at this championship need to hear.
In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this triumph following win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a significant event.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
However although she later admitted those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as leader.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.
