Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for Australia to break new ground.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the peak baggers, are what's still available for a team that has achieved everything.
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That it took as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their batters to maintain a record if not provided the possibility.
Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her bow and seven global championships have come from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Many contend the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this ton was much more difficult to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've been watching me in training, it was a challenging time because it appeared I've had no rhythm at all," stated Healy.
"But once you take the field, your competitive instincts take over and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her great strength - and a priceless quality in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from there Healy was underway.
"An opportunity to go out there and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, sort of got me going," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
When she was out Australia required another 66 at one run per ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the belief to accomplish that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we believe we can do it."
That comment will be the last rival teams at this championship want to hear.
In recent days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this triumph following win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a significant event.
So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated through the pain.
Yet even as she later admitted those injuries have postponed thoughts of retirement, this championship is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as leader.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.