Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, those for the peak baggers, are all that remain for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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The fact it required as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their batsmen to possess a record if not afforded the chance.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to create her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her bow and seven international trophies have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fail again.
Whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display is debatable.
Many contend the argument supporting final game tension. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this ton was far harder to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this innings followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've been watching me in training, it has been a frustrating experience because it seemed I lacked timing completely," stated Healy.
"But once you take the field, your competitive instincts take over and you completely engage with the match."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her key asset - and a priceless quality in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.
A single came off the opening delivery and from there Healy was in motion.
"A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
When she was out Australia required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I am glad we have the belief to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if necessary, we believe we can achieve it."
That comment will be the final thing competing nations at this championship need to hear.
During the last week a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this success following victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
It was at that stage they left last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wished she had played despite the injury.
But while she afterwards confessed those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as leader.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.
