The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a squad 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 achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their hitters to hold a record if not provided the chance.
Finally, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles 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 "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not come up short.
Whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was much more difficult to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it's been a challenging time because it seemed I lacked timing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"But once you step out on the field, your competitive instincts take over and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has always been her great strength - and a priceless quality in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen 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 there Healy was underway.
"A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
By the time she was dismissed Australia needed 66 more at run per delivery - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the confidence to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if necessary, we know we can do it."
That comment will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this championship want to hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will win from any position has grown stronger - this success succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have postponed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is expected to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a global event as leader.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.