Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for Australia to set fresh records.
The top summits have already been conquered.
This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the peak baggers, are the only things left for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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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 over 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their batters to hold a record if never given the opportunity.
Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to create her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 championship victory came three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
Whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort can be debated.
Some will argue the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was considerably tougher to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this knock was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in training, it has been a frustrating experience because I feel like I've had no rhythm whatsoever," stated Healy.
"However when you take the field, your competitive instincts activate and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that Healy was on her way.
"The possibility to play and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was removed her side required another 66 at run per delivery - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if we do, we know we can succeed."
Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this tournament should hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this triumph succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a significant event.
So great is her will, she later said she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those injuries have delayed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is expected to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.
