The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a team 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 achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It is hard for their batsmen to hold a record if never given the chance.
In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting a chance to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her debut and seven international trophies have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not come up short.
Whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the argument supporting championship match pressure. Others can counter with the test that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this knock followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it was a frustrating experience because it seemed I lacked timing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your fighting spirit take over and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and after that the right-hander was underway.
"The possibility to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun that way, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
When she was dismissed her side required another 66 at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we are confident we can succeed."
That comment will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup need to hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this victory succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have postponed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as leader.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.