The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, targeted by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a squad that has won it all.
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It needed until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over five decades.
It is hard for their batters to maintain a record if not provided the chance.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Many contend the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was far harder to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this knock followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in the nets, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared I lacked timing completely," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the match."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was in motion.
"An opportunity to play and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
When she was removed Australia needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if necessary, we are confident we can succeed."
These statements will be the last competing nations at this tournament should hear.
In recent days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this triumph following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated through the pain.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have delayed plans to retire, this tournament is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as captain.
Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.