The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to 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 side that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their hitters to maintain a record if not afforded the possibility.
Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a platform to produce her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her bow and seven international trophies have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fail again.
If this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Many contend the argument supporting championship match pressure. Others can counter with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was much more difficult to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this performance followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed I lacked timing completely," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive instincts activate and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from there Healy was on her way.
"A chance to go out there and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.
By the time she was out Australia required another 66 at one run per ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the confidence to achieve that now," stated Healy further.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if we do, we believe we can do it."
Those words will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this World Cup want to hear.
In recent days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this victory following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she wished she had played with the discomfort.
But while she later admitted those injuries have postponed plans to retire, this tournament is expected to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as skipper.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.