Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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The fact it required as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their hitters to hold a record if not afforded the chance.
Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to deliver her newest gem.
Originally famous as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have come from 10 tries across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not come up short.
If this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort can be debated.
Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was far harder to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in the nets, it's been a frustrating experience because I feel like I've had no rhythm at all," said Healy.
"However when you take the field, your competitive nature take over and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and after that Healy was in motion.
"An opportunity to play and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
Once she was out Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if we do, we are confident we can achieve it."
That comment will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this World Cup need to hear.
During the last week a feeling they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this victory succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wished she had played through the pain.
However although she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have postponed 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 leader.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.