Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for Australia to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.
This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the record chasers, are all that remain for a side that has achieved everything.
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It needed up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if not provided the possibility.
In the end, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy getting a chance to deliver her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her bow and seven international trophies have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She ensured 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 the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What is certain is this hundred was far harder to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this performance followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed I lacked timing whatsoever," said Healy.
"But once you step out on the field, your competitive nature activate and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's competitive nature has always been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and after that Healy was underway.
"A chance to go out there and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, sort of got me going," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
Once she was removed her side required another 66 at run per delivery - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the confidence to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, should it happen, we are confident we can succeed."
That comment will be the final thing competing nations at this championship want to hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will win from any position has grown stronger - this victory succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
During that phase they were eliminated from the previous 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 guided Australia for the initial instance at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as captain.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.
