Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for Australia to break new ground.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, targeted by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a squad that has won it all.
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The fact it required up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It is hard for their batsmen to possess a record if not afforded the opportunity.
Finally, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a platform to deliver her most recent brilliance.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Certain people claim the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this ton was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this knock was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in training, it's been a disappointing period because it seemed I lacked timing completely," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit take over and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball 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 in that regard, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
Once she was removed her side needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the belief to do that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we are confident we can do it."
That comment will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this tournament should hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this victory succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at an important competition.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated through the pain.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have delayed consideration of ending her career, this championship is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a global event as skipper.
Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.
