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 set fresh records.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a team that has won it all.
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The fact it required up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It's challenging for their batsmen to possess a record if not afforded the possibility.
In the end, the result of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to create her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
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 fall short again.
If this latest epic knock topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Some might respond with the test that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock was preceded by six games 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 it seemed I lacked timing at all," stated Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from there Healy was underway.
"An opportunity to take the field and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
By the time she was removed the team needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we are confident we can succeed."
These statements will be the last rival teams at this World Cup want to hear.
In recent days a belief they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this triumph succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they exited last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
However although she afterwards confessed those physical issues have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this championship is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as skipper.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.
