The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the record chasers, are all that remain for a team that has won it all.
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That it took up to Sunday's victory by three wickets 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, frankly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if never given the chance.
In the end, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to produce her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her debut and seven global championships have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
Whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Some will argue the case for championship match pressure. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's clear is this ton was much more difficult to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in training, it was a challenging time because it appeared I lacked timing at all," commented Healy.
"But once you step out on the field, your fighting spirit take over and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her great strength - and a priceless quality in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from there Healy was on her way.
"The possibility to take the field and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
Once she was removed the team needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the belief to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if we do, we believe we can succeed."
These statements will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this championship need to hear.
In recent days a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
But while she afterwards confessed those injuries have postponed plans to retire, this championship is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as leader.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.