The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a side that has won it all.
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The fact it required up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It's challenging for their batters to possess a record if never given the chance.
In the end, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to create her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 championship victory came three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
Whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Some will argue the case for final game tension. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was much more difficult to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in taking over from 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 on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and from that point Healy was in motion.
"An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
When she was removed Australia needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the belief to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we are confident we can achieve it."
These statements will be the last Australia's opponents at this championship should hear.
During the last week a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this victory succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they left the previous 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 captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wished she had played through the pain.
However although she later admitted those physical issues have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this championship is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as skipper.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.
