Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, targeted by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It is hard for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the chance.
Finally, the result of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to create her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her bow and seven world titles have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
If this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display is debatable.
Some will argue the case for the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive instincts activate and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the right-hander was in motion.
"A chance to take the field and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.
Once she was dismissed her side needed 66 more at run per delivery - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the belief to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we believe we can succeed."
Those words will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup need to hear.
In recent days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this triumph following victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they exited last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.
Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing through the pain.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as captain.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.
