The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark 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 been successfully scaled.
This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad that has achieved everything.
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It needed up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It's challenging for their batters to maintain a record if never given the opportunity.
In the end, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to produce her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut 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.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have resulted from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was far harder to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this innings followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in the nets, it's been a disappointing period because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive nature kick in and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was in motion.
"An opportunity to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
Once she was out Australia needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the confidence to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we believe we can achieve it."
Those words will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this championship need to hear.
In recent days a feeling they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at an important competition.
So great is her will, she later said she wished she had played with the discomfort.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as captain.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.
