The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for Australia to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a squad that has achieved everything.
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The fact it required as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.
It is hard for their hitters to maintain a record if not provided the chance.
Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to create her most recent brilliance.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of celebrated previous 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 seen it all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
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 final and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display is debatable.
Certain people claim the case for final game tension. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it has been a challenging time because I feel like I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy.
"However when you take the field, your competitive nature kick in and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that the batsman was in motion.
"A chance to play and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
Once she was dismissed Australia required another 66 at one run per ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the assurance to do that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if we do, we know we can do it."
That comment will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this championship should hear.
In recent days a feeling they will win from any position has only strengthened - this triumph coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
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 were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wished she had played with the discomfort.
But while she afterwards confessed those physical issues have postponed consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a global event as captain.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.
