Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the record chasers, are the only things left for a squad that has won it all.
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It needed until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if not provided the opportunity.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to produce her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her debut and seven international trophies have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What is certain is this hundred was much more difficult to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this innings came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in the nets, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed I lacked timing at all," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit activate and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has always been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was on her way.
"A chance to play and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
Once she was removed Australia required another 66 at one run per ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we believe we can achieve it."
That comment will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this tournament want to hear.
In recent days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this triumph following win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
It was in the semi-finals they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at an important competition.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
However although she later admitted those injuries have delayed consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as leader.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.