The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.
The top summits have already been conquered.
We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, those for the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a squad that has won it all.
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It needed up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It's challenging for their hitters to possess a record if not afforded the opportunity.
Ultimately, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to produce her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her bow and seven global championships have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the run of success.
That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fall short again.
If this latest epic knock topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Many contend the reasoning behind 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 is certain is this century was much more difficult to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this performance followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it has been a challenging time because it seemed I lacked timing whatsoever," said Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit kick in and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her key asset - and a priceless quality in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and after that the right-hander was in motion.
"An opportunity to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
When she was dismissed Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if we do, we are confident we can do it."
These statements will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup should hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will win from any position has only strengthened - this success following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing through the pain.
However although she afterwards confessed those physical issues have postponed plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as captain.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.