The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a side that has achieved everything.
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The fact it required until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It's difficult for their hitters to hold a record if not provided the possibility.
Ultimately, the result of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have resulted from 10 efforts 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 "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fall short again.
If this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Some will argue the case for final game tension. Others can counter with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was far harder to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this performance was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in the nets, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared my form was missing completely," stated Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit kick in and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her key asset - and a priceless quality in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and after that the right-hander was in motion.
"The possibility to play and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
By the time she was removed her side needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the assurance to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, should it happen, we know we can succeed."
That comment will be the last competing nations at this tournament need to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will win from any position has grown stronger - this triumph coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
During that phase they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a significant event.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have pushed back plans to retire, this tournament is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as captain.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.