The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a squad that has won it all.
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It needed as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their batsmen to possess a record if never given the possibility.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her bow and seven global championships have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort can be debated.
Many contend the argument supporting final game tension. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was considerably tougher to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, 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.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it was a frustrating experience because I feel like I lacked timing at all," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive instincts activate and you just lock into the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her great strength - and a priceless quality in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from there the batsman was on her way.
"The possibility to play and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
Once she was out the team required another 66 at run per delivery - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the belief to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, should it happen, we believe we can do it."
Those words will be the last competing nations at this championship should hear.
During the last week a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this success following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a significant event.
So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wished she had played with the discomfort.
Yet even as she later admitted those injuries have postponed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is likely to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as captain.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.