Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
This is the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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The fact it required up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their batsmen to hold a record if never given the opportunity.
In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to create her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was far harder to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this performance came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in the nets, it has been a challenging time because it seemed I've had no rhythm completely," stated Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her great strength - and a priceless quality in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was in motion.
"A chance to go out there and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
When she was out the team required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the assurance to do that now," continued Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we are confident we can achieve it."
Those words will be the last Australia's opponents at this championship need to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this triumph coming after success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at an important competition.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have delayed consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as leader.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.
