Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the pitchers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It's challenging for their batters to hold a record if never given the opportunity.
Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her newest gem.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her bow and seven international trophies have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fail again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Many contend the reasoning behind final game tension. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was much more difficult to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it has been a disappointing period because it seemed I lacked timing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her great strength - and a priceless quality in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and after that the right-hander 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," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was out Australia needed 66 more at run per delivery - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the assurance to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if we do, we believe we can do it."
That comment will be the last rival teams at this World Cup need to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this success following win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors 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 shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated through the pain.
But while she later admitted those fitness problems have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper.
Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.
