The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, targeted by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a side that has achieved everything.
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It needed as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their hitters to possess a record if not afforded the opportunity.
Finally, the result of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to produce her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous 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 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not come up short.
If this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Many contend the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this ton was much more difficult to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this innings was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it's been a disappointing period because it appeared my form was missing completely," commented Healy.
"But once you take the field, your competitive nature activate and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from there the batsman was on her way.
"An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was removed Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the confidence to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if necessary, we know we can achieve it."
These statements will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this tournament need to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this success following win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wished she had played with the discomfort.
But while she afterwards confessed those injuries have delayed consideration of ending her career, this championship is expected to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as leader.
Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.