The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the record chasers, are the only things left for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over five decades.
It's difficult for their batters to maintain a record if never given the chance.
Finally, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not come up short.
If this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Certain people claim the case for the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this ton was considerably tougher to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this performance 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 training, it's been a disappointing period because I feel like my form was missing at all," commented Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive nature kick in and you just lock into the match."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from there Healy was in motion.
"A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
By the time she was removed Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the belief to accomplish that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if we do, we are confident we can do it."
That comment will be the last Australia's opponents at this World Cup should hear.
During the last week a belief they will win from any position has only strengthened - this success following victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she wanted to have participated through the pain.
Yet even as she later admitted those injuries have delayed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a global event as captain.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.
