The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a side that has won it all.
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It needed up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It is hard for their batsmen to possess a record if never given the chance.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a platform to create her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fall short again.
Whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the case for final game tension. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was much more difficult to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in training, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared I've had no rhythm whatsoever," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and from there the batsman was in motion.
"An opportunity to take the field and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
By the time she was out Australia needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I am glad we have the confidence to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if necessary, we are confident we can succeed."
That comment will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this championship need to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this triumph coming after win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
It was at that stage they left last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wished she had played despite the injury.
Yet even as she later admitted 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 still to achieve a global event as captain.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.