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 long been mastered.
This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their hitters to possess a record if never given the chance.
In the end, the result of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her debut and seven world titles have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.
That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fail again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Many contend the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this hundred was far harder to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this performance was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in the nets, it has been a disappointing period because I feel like I've had no rhythm completely," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive instincts take over and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her great strength - and a priceless quality 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 young fast bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and after that the right-hander was in motion.
"A chance to go out there and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
When she was removed Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the assurance to do that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we know we can achieve it."
Those words will be the last competing nations at this tournament should hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this triumph following win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she later said she regretted not playing through the pain.
However although she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have delayed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as skipper.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.