Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad that has achieved everything.
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It needed until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over five decades.
It is hard for their hitters to maintain a record if not provided the chance.
In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given a chance to create her newest gem.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fail again.
Whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the argument supporting final game tension. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this ton was far harder to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this performance was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared my form was missing completely," commented Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature take over and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from that point Healy was on her way.
"A chance to play and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
When she was out her side required another 66 at run per delivery - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, should it happen, we believe we can succeed."
These statements will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this tournament want to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this triumph succeeding win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wished she had played through the pain.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is likely to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as captain.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.
