The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a squad that has achieved everything.
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It needed as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their hitters to hold a record if not afforded the chance.
Finally, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
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 come up short.
Whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the case for final game tension. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was far harder to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in the nets, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm at all," stated Healy.
"However when you take the field, your competitive instincts activate and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's competitive nature 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 recent ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from that point Healy was underway.
"The possibility to go out there and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
When she was out Australia needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, should it happen, we know we can achieve it."
Those words will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup should hear.
In recent days a sense they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they left last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wished she had played through the pain.
But while she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this championship is expected to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as captain.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.