Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
This is the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their hitters to possess a record if not afforded the chance.
Finally, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to deliver her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her debut and seven international trophies have come from 10 tries across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Certain people claim the argument supporting final game tension. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was much more difficult to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this knock followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it was a disappointing period because I feel like I lacked timing at all," stated Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive nature kick in and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from 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 every game, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was on her way.
"An opportunity to play and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun that way, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
By the time she was removed Australia required another 66 at one run per ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the confidence to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, should it happen, we believe we can do it."
That comment will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this championship want to hear.
During the last week a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this success coming after win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated through the pain.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have delayed plans to retire, this championship is likely to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a global event as leader.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.