The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's difficult for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The top summits have already been conquered.
This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, targeted by the record chasers, are the only things left for a squad that has won it all.
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The fact it required as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It's challenging for their batsmen to maintain a record if not provided the possibility.
Ultimately, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to produce her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory came three months after her debut and seven world titles have followed from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the case for final game tension. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What is certain is this ton was much more difficult to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in the nets, it has been a frustrating experience because I feel like I've had no rhythm completely," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her key asset - and a priceless quality in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and after that the batsman was in motion.
"A chance to go out there and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
By the time she was dismissed Australia required another 66 at run per delivery - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the assurance to do that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if we do, we believe we can succeed."
These statements will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this tournament should hear.
In recent days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this triumph succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing despite the injury.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those injuries have postponed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as captain.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.