Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for Australia to set fresh records.
The top summits have long been mastered.
This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a team that has achieved everything.
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That it took as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It is hard for their batters to hold a record if never given the opportunity.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her debut and seven international trophies have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not come up short.
If this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.
Some will argue the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Some might respond with the test that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was considerably tougher to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it has been a disappointing period because it appeared my form was missing at all," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive nature activate and you just lock into the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from that point Healy was on her way.
"An opportunity to take the field and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
When she was dismissed the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the confidence to achieve that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we know we can succeed."
That comment will be the last Australia's opponents at this World Cup want to hear.
During the last week a feeling they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this triumph following win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing through the pain.
But while she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as leader.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.