The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for Australia to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and once went over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their batters to maintain a record if never given the possibility.
Finally, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to create her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory came three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort is debatable.
Certain people claim the argument supporting final game tension. Others can counter with the test that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What is certain is this hundred was far harder to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this innings came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've been watching me in the nets, it was a disappointing period because it appeared my form was missing completely," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive nature activate and you just lock into the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and from there the batsman was underway.
"A chance to play and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
By the time she was out her side needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the confidence to achieve that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we know we can do it."
Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this championship should hear.
In recent days a sense they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this victory succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting 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 well be secure.
During that phase they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wished she had played despite the injury.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have delayed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as skipper.
Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.