The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for Australia to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and once went over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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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 exceeding 300, taking back their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It's difficult for their hitters to possess a record if never given the possibility.
In the end, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the reasoning behind 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 considerably tougher to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this performance followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in the nets, it's been a challenging time because I feel like I've had no rhythm at all," commented Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive nature activate and you just lock into the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and after that Healy was in motion.
"A chance to play and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
When she was removed Australia needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, should it happen, we know we can achieve it."
These statements will be the last rival teams at this championship should hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this triumph coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
It was in the semi-finals they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she regretted not playing through the pain.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as leader.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.