The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a side that has achieved everything.
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It needed until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their batsmen to hold a record if not provided the possibility.
In the end, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her bow and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 tries across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Many contend the argument supporting final game tension. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was considerably tougher to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this performance followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in training, it was a challenging time because I feel like I've had no rhythm at all," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts activate and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her key asset - and a priceless quality in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and after that the batsman was in motion.
"An opportunity to take the field and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun that way, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.
By the time she was dismissed the team required another 66 at one run per ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the belief to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we believe we can succeed."
That comment will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this championship want to hear.
During the last week a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this triumph succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing despite the injury.
But while she later admitted those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this tournament is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as captain.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.