Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the record chasers, are the only things left for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their batsmen to possess a record if not provided the possibility.
In the end, the result of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "pushed 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 championship match and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not come up short.
Whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display is debatable.
Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest 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 much more difficult to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this innings followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in training, it was a frustrating experience because I feel like my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was in motion.
"A chance to play and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
By the time she was dismissed her side needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the belief to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we believe we can achieve it."
That comment will be the final thing rival teams at this tournament need to hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this success following success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she regretted not playing despite the injury.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have postponed thoughts of retirement, this championship is expected to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as skipper.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.