The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It is hard for their hitters to possess a record if not afforded the opportunity.
Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her bow and seven international trophies have followed from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort can be debated.
Some will argue the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was far harder to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've observed me in training, it has been a frustrating experience because I feel like I lacked timing completely," said Healy.
"But once you take the field, your competitive nature kick in and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and from there Healy was on her way.
"A chance to play and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, sort of got me going," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
By the time she was out Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if we do, we believe we can do it."
These statements will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup want to hear.
During the last week a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory succeeding win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they were eliminated from the prior 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 guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.
Such is her determination, she later said she regretted not playing through the pain.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have postponed thoughts of retirement, this championship is likely to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.