Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, targeted by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a team that has achieved everything.
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The fact it required as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It's challenging for their hitters to possess a record if not afforded the chance.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her debut and seven global championships have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the argument supporting championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was considerably tougher to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as 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 training, it has been a disappointing period because it appeared I lacked timing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive nature kick in and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and from there the batsman was on her way.
"An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, sort of got me going," commented Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
When she was out her side needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the belief to do that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we believe we can do it."
That comment will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup should hear.
During the last week a sense they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this triumph succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
It was in the semi-finals they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
However although she afterwards confessed those physical issues have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this tournament is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as captain.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.