The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and once went over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, targeted by the record chasers, are the only things left for a squad that has won it all.
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That it took up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their batters to hold a record if never given the opportunity.
Finally, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given a platform to produce her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her debut and seven international trophies have come from 10 tries across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Many contend the case for final game tension. Some might respond with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was far harder to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this knock came after six matches 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 was a frustrating experience because I feel like I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from that point Healy was in motion.
"An opportunity to play and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
When she was removed her side required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the assurance to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if we do, we are confident we can succeed."
Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this tournament need to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this success succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
Yet even as she later admitted those physical issues have delayed plans to retire, this tournament is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as captain.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.