Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the record chasers, are all that remain for a team that has achieved everything.
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That it took until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their batters to hold a record if not afforded the possibility.
Finally, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her debut and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "drove 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 final and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
Whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort is debatable.
Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What is certain is this hundred was far harder to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this innings came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've been watching me in training, it has been a disappointing period because I feel like I lacked timing completely," said Healy.
"But once 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 irreplaceable characteristic in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was underway.
"The possibility to go out there and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
When she was dismissed Australia required another 66 at run per delivery - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the confidence to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if necessary, we believe we can achieve it."
These statements will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup need to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will win from any position has grown stronger - this triumph succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
It was at that stage they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a global event as skipper.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.