The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for Australia to break new ground.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a team that has achieved everything.
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The fact it required up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their batsmen to hold a record if not afforded the possibility.
In the end, the result of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to produce her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.
If this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort is debatable.
Many contend the case for final game tension. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was far harder to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in the nets, it has been a disappointing period because it seemed my form was missing whatsoever," said Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit take over and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her key asset - and a priceless quality in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the batsman was in motion.
"An opportunity to play and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
Once she was out her side needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if necessary, we know we can succeed."
Those words will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this tournament should hear.
In recent days a belief they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this triumph coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 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 semi-final place may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as skipper.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.