The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The top summits have already been conquered.
This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a squad that has won it all.
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That it took until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their hitters to maintain a record if not provided the possibility.
Ultimately, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a chance to produce her newest gem.
Then best known as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her debut and seven global championships have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.
That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
If this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display is debatable.
Some will argue the case for championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this knock came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it has been a disappointing period because I feel like I lacked timing completely," commented Healy.
"But once you take the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the match."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and after that the batsman was in motion.
"A chance to take the field and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun that way, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
When she was dismissed Australia required another 66 at run per delivery - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the belief to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we believe we can succeed."
Those words will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this championship want to hear.
During the last week a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this success succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she regretted not playing through the pain.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this tournament is anticipated as her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as skipper.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.
