Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The top summits have already been conquered.
This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It's difficult for their hitters to possess a record if not afforded the possibility.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to create her newest gem.
Then best known as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her debut and seven world titles have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She ensured 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 final game tension. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's clear is this ton was far harder to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this performance followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in the nets, it's been a frustrating experience because I feel like I lacked timing whatsoever," said Healy.
"But once you step out on the field, your competitive instincts take over and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her key asset - and a priceless quality in succeeding famous previous leader 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 inspiration.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the batsman was underway.
"A chance to take the field and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
By the time she was dismissed the team needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if we do, we are confident we can succeed."
Those words will be the last rival teams at this World Cup should hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this victory succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
During that phase they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she later said she regretted not playing through the pain.
However although she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.