The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's a challenge for Australia to set fresh records.
The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.
This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a side that has won it all.
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That it took up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It's challenging for their hitters to maintain a record if not afforded the chance.
In the end, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting a chance to produce her newest gem.
Then best known as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her debut and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
If this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. Some might respond with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in training, it was a disappointing period because it seemed my form was missing at all," commented Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's competitive nature has always been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the right-hander was on her way.
"An opportunity to go out there and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
By the time she was dismissed the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the assurance to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we believe we can do it."
That comment will be the last competing nations at this championship want to hear.
During the last week a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this triumph following victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they exited last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a major tournament.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have delayed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as skipper.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.