The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
This is the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, those for the peak baggers, are all that remain for a side that has achieved everything.
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The fact it required as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It's challenging for their batters to hold a record if not afforded the chance.
Finally, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a platform to create her newest gem.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.
Whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort can be debated.
Some will argue the argument supporting championship match pressure. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's clear is this ton was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this performance was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in training, it's been a disappointing period because it seemed I lacked timing at all," said Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her great strength - and a priceless quality in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from there the right-hander was underway.
"An opportunity to go out there and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
When she was dismissed her side needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the assurance to achieve that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if we do, we believe we can achieve it."
That comment will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup should hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this triumph coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they exited last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have delayed plans to retire, this championship is expected to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as captain.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.