The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their batsmen to maintain a record if never given the opportunity.
In the end, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to produce her newest gem.
Then best known as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her debut and seven global championships have come from 10 tries across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fall short again.
The question of whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the argument supporting championship match pressure. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was far harder to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this innings followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've observed me in the nets, it's been a frustrating experience because it appeared I lacked timing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive nature take over and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the right-hander was underway.
"The possibility to go out there and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
By the time she was removed her side needed 66 more at one run per ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the confidence to do that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, should it happen, we are confident we can succeed."
Those words will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this World Cup need to hear.
In recent days a feeling they will win from any position has only strengthened - this success coming after victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wished she had played with the discomfort.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this championship is likely to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.