The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a side that has won it all.
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It needed as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It is hard for their batsmen to possess a record if not provided the chance.
In the end, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her bow and seven global championships have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort can be debated.
Many contend the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was far harder to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in the nets, it has been a challenging time because I feel like my form was missing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"But once you take the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and from that point Healy was in motion.
"A chance to play and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
Once she was removed the team required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, should it happen, we are confident we can do it."
Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this championship should hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this triumph following success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have postponed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as leader.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.
