The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
This is the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and once went over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a squad that has achieved everything.
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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, regaining their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It's challenging for their hitters to maintain a record if never given the opportunity.
Finally, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to create her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the run of success.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.
If this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Many contend the case for final game tension. Some might respond with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this ton was far harder to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this innings followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it's been a disappointing period because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," said Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive nature activate and you just lock into the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player 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 motivation.
A single came off the opening delivery and after that Healy was in motion.
"The possibility to take the field and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
By the time she was removed the team needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the assurance to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if necessary, we know we can achieve it."
Those words will be the final thing rival teams at this tournament want to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this victory succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
Yet even as she later admitted those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this tournament is expected to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as captain.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.