The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for Australia to break new ground.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the record chasers, are what's still available for a team that has achieved everything.
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It needed until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if not afforded the chance.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a platform to produce her newest gem.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her debut and seven world titles have followed from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the run of success.
That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not come up short.
If this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the case for the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the test that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was considerably tougher to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this innings was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in training, it was a disappointing period because it appeared I lacked timing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive nature kick in and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her key asset - and a priceless quality in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was on her way.
"An opportunity to go out there and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
Once she was removed her side needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we believe we can achieve it."
Those words will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this championship should hear.
In recent days a belief they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this victory coming after win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage.
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 exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing through the pain.
But while she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this championship is likely to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.