The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, targeted by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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The fact it required up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It's challenging for their batsmen to maintain a record if not provided the chance.
In the end, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her debut and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Many contend the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was far harder to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in training, it has been a frustrating experience because it seemed my form was missing at all," commented Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit take over and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from there the batsman was underway.
"A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
Once she was out her side needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the belief to accomplish that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we believe we can achieve it."
These statements will be the last competing nations at this World Cup want to hear.
In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this triumph coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 runs 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 likely be confirmed.
During that phase they were eliminated from 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 a major tournament.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wished she had played through the pain.
However although she later admitted those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this championship is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as leader.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.