Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The highest peaks 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 undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are the only things left for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their batsmen to hold a record if not provided the possibility.
Ultimately, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a platform to produce her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her bow and seven world titles have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was far harder to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this knock was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in the nets, it has been a disappointing period because it seemed I've had no rhythm at all," commented Healy.
"However when you take the field, your competitive nature kick in and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her great strength - and a priceless quality in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and after that Healy was in motion.
"The possibility to go out there and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
Once she was out Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, should it happen, we believe we can do it."
That comment will be the last rival teams at this World Cup need to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this triumph succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a major tournament.
Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing despite the injury.
But while she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have delayed plans to retire, this tournament is likely to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a global event as leader.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.