Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another 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 squad that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It is hard for their batters to hold a record if never given the chance.
In the end, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy being given a chance to create her most recent brilliance.
Originally famous as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her debut and seven world titles have resulted from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Many contend the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this ton was much more difficult to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this knock followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in the nets, it has been a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm at all," stated Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit take over and you completely engage with the match."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the right-hander was in motion.
"A chance to go out there and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
When she was out the team needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the assurance to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we know we can succeed."
Those words will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this World Cup should hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they left last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
But while she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have postponed plans to retire, this tournament is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as captain.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.
