Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the record chasers, are all that remain for a squad that has won it all.
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The fact it required as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the pitchers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if not provided the possibility.
Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to produce her most recent brilliance.
Originally famous as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her debut and seven international trophies have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display is debatable.
Certain people claim the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the test that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was considerably tougher to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because it appeared I lacked timing completely," said Healy.
"But once you step out on the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
A single came off the opening delivery and from there the right-hander was underway.
"A chance to play and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
When she was removed Australia needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the assurance to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if necessary, we believe we can succeed."
These statements will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup want to hear.
In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this success coming after win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing despite the injury.
But while she later admitted those fitness problems have delayed plans to retire, this tournament is likely to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as leader.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.