The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the peak baggers, are the only things left for a side that has won it all.
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It needed up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their batters to hold a record if not afforded the possibility.
Finally, the result of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 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 remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the argument supporting final game tension. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was far harder to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this innings followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in training, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit take over and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was in motion.
"The possibility to go out there and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
When she was out her side needed 66 more at run per delivery - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the belief to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we believe we can achieve it."
These statements will be the last rival teams at this World Cup need to hear.
In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this victory following success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this tournament is expected to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as captain.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.
