The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a team that has achieved everything.
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That it took until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their batsmen to maintain a record if not afforded the chance.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy being given a chance to produce her newest gem.
Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country 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 championship victory arrived three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was far harder to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it's been a disappointing period because it seemed I've had no rhythm at all," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive nature kick in and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her key asset - and a priceless quality in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.
A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from there the batsman was underway.
"An opportunity to take the field and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
By the time she was dismissed Australia needed 66 more at run per delivery - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the confidence to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, should it happen, we know we can do it."
That comment will be the last rival teams at this tournament need to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this triumph succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at an important competition.
So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated through the pain.
However although she later admitted those injuries have postponed plans to retire, this tournament is anticipated as her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.