Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The top summits have already been conquered.
We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the record chasers, are all that remain for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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The fact it required as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It's challenging for their hitters to maintain a record if never given the opportunity.
In the end, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her bow and seven world titles have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort can be debated.
Many contend the argument supporting final game tension. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was far harder to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in the nets, it's been a challenging time because I feel like I've had no rhythm completely," said Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit kick in and you just lock into the match."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and from there the right-hander was in motion.
"A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
When she was out Australia needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the assurance to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, should it happen, we know we can achieve it."
These statements will be the last rival teams at this World Cup should hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this victory coming after win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
But while she afterwards confessed those physical issues have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as skipper.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.
