The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The top summits have long been mastered.
We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the peak baggers, are what's still available for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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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 exceeding 300, taking back their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It is hard for their batters to hold a record if not afforded the chance.
In the end, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to create her newest gem.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have followed from 10 tries 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 reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
If this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Many contend the argument supporting final game tension. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was much more difficult to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this innings was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in training, it's been a challenging time because I feel like I've had no rhythm at all," said Healy.
"However when you take the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her great strength - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from that point Healy was underway.
"An opportunity to play and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
By the time she was removed her side needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the belief to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if we do, we believe we can succeed."
That comment will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup want to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this success succeeding success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they left last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she later said she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
However although she later admitted those physical issues have postponed plans to retire, this championship is likely to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as leader.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.