The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a team that has won it all.
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It needed until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if not provided the opportunity.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy getting a chance to produce her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her bow and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the following one-day championship 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 come up short.
If this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort is debatable.
Certain people claim the case for the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was much more difficult to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in the nets, it has been a disappointing period because it appeared I lacked timing completely," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit kick in and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and from that point the right-hander was in motion.
"The possibility to play and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
By the time she was dismissed the team required another 66 at run per delivery - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the belief to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we know we can succeed."
That comment will be the last rival teams at this World Cup need to hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will win from any position has become more firm - this triumph succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.
During that phase they left last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she regretted not playing despite the injury.
But while she afterwards confessed those physical issues have postponed thoughts of retirement, this championship is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as captain.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.
