The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The top summits have long been mastered.
This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the peak baggers, are all that remain for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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The fact it required as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It is hard for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the chance.
Finally, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to deliver her most recent brilliance.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her bow and seven international trophies have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there 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 said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fail again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort can be debated.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this performance was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in training, it was a disappointing period because it appeared I lacked timing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive instincts activate and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her key asset - and a priceless quality in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was in motion.
"An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
Once she was dismissed her side required another 66 at run per delivery - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the assurance to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, should it happen, we are confident we can succeed."
Those words will be the last rival teams at this championship should hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this success following victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play 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 left the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a significant event.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wished she had played despite the injury.
Yet even as she later admitted those fitness problems have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this championship is expected to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as leader.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.