Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The top summits have long been mastered.
This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the record chasers, are what's still available for a side that has achieved everything.
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That it took up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It is hard for their batters to possess a record if never given the possibility.
In the end, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given a platform to produce her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
If this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort can be debated.
Many contend the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was much more difficult to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've been watching me in training, it's been a frustrating experience because I feel like my form was missing completely," commented Healy.
"However when you take the field, your competitive nature kick in and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was in motion.
"The possibility to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
By the time she was out Australia required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the belief to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if we do, we are confident we can succeed."
These statements will be the last rival teams at this World Cup want to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this triumph following success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they exited the previous 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 first time at an important competition.
So great is her will, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain.
However although she later admitted those injuries have postponed plans to retire, this tournament is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as leader.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.