The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.
The top summits have long been mastered.
This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and once went over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the record chasers, are the only things left for a side that has won it all.
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The fact it required until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their batters to maintain a record if not provided the chance.
Finally, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to create her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the teenage relative 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 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory came three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.
That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Many contend the reasoning behind final game tension. Others can counter with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this ton was considerably tougher to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've been watching me in the nets, it's been a disappointing period because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts take over and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and from there the right-hander was on her way.
"The possibility to play and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.
When she was out the team needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the confidence to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if necessary, we believe we can succeed."
These statements will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this World Cup need to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will win from any position has only strengthened - this success coming after win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.
During that phase they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wished she had played with the discomfort.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have delayed plans to retire, this championship is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as leader.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.