Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the record chasers, are the only things left for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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The fact it required up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their batters to maintain a record if not afforded the possibility.
Ultimately, the result of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy getting a chance to produce her newest gem.
Then best known as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her debut and seven global championships have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort is debatable.
Some will argue the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was far harder to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this performance was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared I lacked timing completely," commented Healy.
"However when you take the field, your fighting spirit take over and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was underway.
"An opportunity to go out there and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
Once she was out Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the assurance to accomplish that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we are confident we can succeed."
These statements will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this tournament need to hear.
In recent days a feeling they will win from any position has become more firm - this success coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing despite the injury.
Yet even as she later admitted those physical issues have postponed consideration of ending her career, this championship is likely to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as skipper.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.