The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for Australia to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, targeted by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a squad that has won it all.
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That it took until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It's difficult for their batters to hold a record if not afforded the possibility.
In the end, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy being given a chance to create her newest gem.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her debut and seven global championships have followed from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well 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 stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was much more difficult to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this innings followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in training, it was a challenging time because I feel like I lacked timing at all," said Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in taking over from iconic ex-skipper 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 every game, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from there the right-hander was on her way.
"An opportunity to play and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
When she was removed the team needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the belief to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if we do, we are confident we can do it."
Those words will be the last competing nations at this tournament want to hear.
In recent days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this triumph coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
During that phase they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play 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 afterwards commented she wished she had played with the discomfort.
Yet even as she later admitted those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as captain.
Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.