Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, those for the peak baggers, are all that remain for a squad that has won it all.
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That it took as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their batsmen to possess a record if not afforded the opportunity.
In the end, the result of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her bow and seven global championships have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fall short again.
The question of whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Many contend the argument supporting championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was far harder to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this knock came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it was a challenging time because I feel like my form was missing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive nature activate and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from there Healy was in motion.
"An opportunity to take the field and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
When she was out Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we believe we can do it."
These statements will be the last Australia's opponents at this World Cup need to hear.
During the last week a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this triumph succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain.
Yet even as she later admitted those fitness problems have delayed consideration of ending her career, this championship is likely to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a global event as leader.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.