Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, targeted by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a team that has achieved everything.
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The fact it required as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the largest in the female 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 hold a record if not afforded the chance.
Ultimately, the result of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy being given a chance to produce her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her debut and seven global championships have come from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Many contend the argument supporting final game tension. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this performance followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in the nets, it was a disappointing period because it seemed I lacked timing completely," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive instincts take over and you just lock into the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her great strength - and a priceless quality in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and after that Healy was on her way.
"An opportunity to go out there and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
By the time she was dismissed her side required another 66 at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the confidence to do that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we are confident we can achieve it."
These statements will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this championship need to hear.
During the last week a feeling they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory following victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
During that phase they left last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to ruptured 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.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as captain.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.