Australia Establishes a Fresh Record 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.
We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their hitters to hold a record if never given the possibility.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given a platform to produce her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her debut and seven world titles have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 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 newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind final game tension. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was much more difficult to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this knock followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it's been a frustrating experience because I feel like my form was missing completely," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive nature activate and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
A single came off the opening delivery and after that the right-hander was on her way.
"An opportunity to take the field and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
When she was removed the team needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the assurance to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we are confident we can achieve it."
Those words will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this World Cup need to hear.
During the last week a sense they will win from any position has grown stronger - this triumph succeeding win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this tournament is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as captain.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.