The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's a challenge for Australia to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a squad that has achieved everything.
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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 over 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if never given the opportunity.
In the end, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a chance to deliver her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her bow and seven global championships have come from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fail again.
Whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Many contend the case for championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What is certain is this hundred was much more difficult to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in the nets, it was a disappointing period because it appeared I lacked timing completely," stated Healy.
"However when you take the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you just lock into the match."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from there the batsman was underway.
"An opportunity to go out there and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
By the time she was dismissed the team required another 66 at one run per ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if necessary, we believe we can succeed."
These statements will be the final thing competing nations at this tournament need to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory following success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
It was in the semi-finals they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she regretted not playing despite the injury.
But while she later admitted those injuries have postponed consideration of ending her career, this championship is likely to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as captain.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.