Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
We're talking about the squad that has secured 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, targeted by the peak baggers, 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 complete their first ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their hitters to hold a record if never given the opportunity.
Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to deliver her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her bow and seven global championships have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.
Whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Some will argue the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was far harder to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this knock came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in the nets, it was a challenging time because I feel like my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your fighting spirit take over and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her great strength - and a priceless quality in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
A single came off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was on her way.
"An opportunity to go out there and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.
When she was dismissed the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the confidence to achieve that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, should it happen, we are confident we can achieve it."
These statements will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this tournament should hear.
In recent days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this triumph succeeding success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they exited the previous 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 initial instance at a major tournament.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as skipper.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.