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 break new ground.
The top summits have long been mastered.
This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the record chasers, are the only things left for a squad that has won it all.
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The fact it required as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their hitters to maintain a record if not afforded the chance.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to create her newest gem.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her bow and seven world titles have followed from 10 tries across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the successful run.
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 final and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.
Whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was much more difficult to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this knock was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in training, it was a challenging time because it appeared I lacked timing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"But once you take the field, your competitive instincts activate and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.
A single came off the opening delivery and from that point the right-hander was underway.
"An opportunity to go out there and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
Once she was dismissed her side needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the confidence to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if necessary, we are confident we can succeed."
Those words will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this championship need to hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will win from any position has only strengthened - this triumph coming after win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of torn 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 wanted to have participated through the pain.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have delayed thoughts of retirement, this championship is likely to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as captain.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.