Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for Australia to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and once went over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are all that remain 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 over 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their batsmen to hold a record if never given the possibility.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to produce her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display is debatable.
Many contend the argument supporting final game tension. Others can counter with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was far harder to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this knock was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in training, it's been a disappointing period because I feel like I lacked timing at all," stated Healy.
"But once you take the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you just lock into the match."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and after that the batsman was on her way.
"A chance to play and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
By the time she was removed the team needed 66 more at one run per ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm happy we have the belief to accomplish that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if we do, we are confident we can do it."
That comment will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this tournament need to hear.
In recent days a sense they will win from any position has only strengthened - this success following victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
Yet even as she later admitted those physical issues have delayed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is likely to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a global event as leader.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.