Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for Australia to break new ground.
The top summits have long been mastered.
We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their batsmen to maintain a record if not provided the opportunity.
In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting a chance to deliver her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 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 is debatable.
Many contend the case for championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was considerably tougher to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this innings was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've been watching me in the nets, it has been a disappointing period because it appeared my form was missing completely," said Healy.
"However when you take the field, your fighting spirit take over and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
A single came off the opening delivery and from there the batsman was underway.
"A chance to go out there and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
When she was removed Australia needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the belief to do that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we believe we can do it."
Those words will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this World Cup need to hear.
In recent days a belief they will win from any position has grown stronger - this success following success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those injuries have postponed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is likely to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.
