The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a squad that has won it all.
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It needed as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their batters to possess a record if never given the opportunity.
In the end, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to create her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her debut and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
Whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the case for final game tension. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was far harder to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this innings followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it was a frustrating experience because it seemed my form was missing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"But once you step out on the field, your fighting spirit take over and you just lock into the match."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her key asset - and a priceless quality in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and after that the batsman was underway.
"The possibility to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
Once she was out Australia needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the confidence to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we are confident we can succeed."
Those words will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this championship need to hear.
During the last week a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this success succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing despite the injury.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have postponed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is anticipated as her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a global event as leader.
Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.