The Australian Team 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 highest peaks have long been mastered.
This is the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a squad that has won it all.
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That it took as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowlers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It's difficult for their batters to hold a record if never given the chance.
Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
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 declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
If this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort is debatable.
Some will argue the argument supporting final game tension. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was much more difficult to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because it appeared my form was missing completely," stated Healy.
"However when you take the field, your competitive instincts activate and you completely engage with the match."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her great strength - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted 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 achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was dismissed her side needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the confidence to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, should it happen, we believe we can succeed."
That comment will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this tournament need to hear.
In recent days a sense they will win from any position has become more firm - this success following victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a significant event.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have delayed plans to retire, this championship is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as leader.
Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.
