Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the peak baggers, are the only things left for a squad that has won it all.
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It needed until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It is hard for their hitters to hold a record if not provided the possibility.
Ultimately, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to create her newest gem.
Then best known as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her bow and seven world titles have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 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 latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Many contend the argument supporting final game tension. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was much more difficult to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it's been a disappointing period because it appeared my form was missing completely," said Healy.
"But once you take the field, your competitive nature take over and you completely engage with the match."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
A single came off the opening delivery and from there Healy was in motion.
"The possibility to go out there and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
By the time she was out Australia required another 66 at run per delivery - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we know we can succeed."
Those words will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this championship want to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this success coming after win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
So great is her will, she later said she wished she had played through the pain.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have postponed thoughts of retirement, this championship is expected to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as skipper.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.