Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their batsmen to possess a record if never given the chance.
In the end, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a platform to produce her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her debut and seven global championships have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the argument supporting championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was considerably tougher to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this innings followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in the nets, it has been a disappointing period because it seemed I've had no rhythm at all," stated Healy.
"But once you take the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was in motion.
"A chance to take the field and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
Once she was out her side required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the confidence to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we know we can succeed."
Those words will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this tournament should hear.
During the last week a sense they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this triumph succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wished she had played through the pain.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as captain.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.