Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, 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 victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if never given the opportunity.
Finally, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her debut and seven world titles have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
If this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was far harder to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this innings was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it has been a challenging time because it appeared my form was missing at all," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit activate and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star 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 inspiration.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and after that the right-hander was in motion.
"The possibility to take the field and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
When she was removed Australia needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the assurance to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we know we can succeed."
That comment will be the last Australia's opponents at this championship want to hear.
In recent days a sense they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this victory succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing through the pain.
However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have delayed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as skipper.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.