The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and once went over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, 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, taking back their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their hitters to maintain a record if not provided the opportunity.
In the end, the result of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a chance to create her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her debut and seven international trophies have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
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 guaranteed her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the case for the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the test that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was far harder to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this knock was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in training, it's been a disappointing period because it appeared I've had no rhythm whatsoever," stated Healy.
"But once you take the field, your competitive nature take over and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her key asset - and a priceless quality in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the right-hander was on her way.
"The possibility to take the field and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
When she was dismissed the team required another 66 at one run per ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the confidence to do that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if we do, we believe we can do it."
Those words will be the last rival teams at this tournament want to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this triumph succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they exited 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 captained her nation for the initial instance at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing 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 last as captain in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as skipper.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.