The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for Australia to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, those for the record chasers, are the only things left for a team that has achieved everything.
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It needed up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It is hard for their hitters to maintain a record if not provided the chance.
In the end, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a platform to produce her newest gem.
Then best known as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her bow and seven world titles have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fall short again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was much more difficult to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed I lacked timing at all," commented Healy.
"However when you take the field, your competitive instincts take over and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her great strength - and a priceless quality in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from there the right-hander was in motion.
"A chance to go out there and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
By the time she was out the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the belief to accomplish that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if necessary, we know we can succeed."
These statements will be the last Australia's opponents at this World Cup need to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this victory succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wished she had played through the pain.
However although she later admitted those injuries have delayed consideration of ending her career, this championship is expected to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as captain.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.