Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a team that has won it all.
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That it took until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It's difficult for their hitters to possess a record if never given the opportunity.
In the end, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her newest gem.
Originally famous as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have resulted from 10 tries across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort can be debated.
Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was considerably tougher to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this knock was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in training, it's been a frustrating experience because it appeared my form was missing at all," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit take over and you completely engage with the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from there the right-hander was in motion.
"A chance to take the field and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
When she was dismissed the team needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the confidence to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we are confident we can succeed."
Those words will be the last Australia's opponents at this tournament want to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this triumph succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing through the pain.
However although she afterwards confessed those physical issues have postponed consideration of ending her career, this championship is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as skipper.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.