The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It's challenging for their batters to possess a record if never given the opportunity.
Finally, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to create her newest gem.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her bow and seven global championships have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
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 ensured her country would not fail again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort can be debated.
Some will argue the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What is certain is this hundred was much more difficult to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this innings followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in training, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed my form was missing completely," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit activate and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her key asset - and a priceless quality in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was underway.
"The possibility to play and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.
By the time she was removed her side needed 66 more at one run per ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the assurance to do that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we know we can succeed."
That comment will be the last rival teams at this tournament need to hear.
In recent days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this success coming after win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
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 couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wished she had played through the pain.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this tournament is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as captain.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.