The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a squad that has achieved everything.
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The fact it required as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It is hard for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the opportunity.
Finally, the result of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a platform to produce her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have come from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fail again.
Whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind final game tension. Others can counter with the test that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this ton was far harder to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this innings came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it was a challenging time because it appeared I've had no rhythm whatsoever," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you take the field, your fighting spirit take over and you just lock into the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and after that the right-hander was on her way.
"A chance to go out there and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.
By the time she was dismissed her side needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if we do, we are confident we can do it."
These statements will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this tournament want to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this success following victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
So great is her will, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing despite the injury.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have delayed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a global event as captain.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.