Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's a challenge for Australia to set fresh records.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the record chasers, are the only things left for a squad that has achieved everything.
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That it took until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It's challenging for their batters to possess a record if never given the chance.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to produce her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her debut and seven world titles have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the run of success.
That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort is debatable.
Many contend the case for final game tension. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was much more difficult to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in the nets, it's been a challenging time because it appeared my form was missing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"But once you take the field, your fighting spirit activate and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was on her way.
"The possibility to go out there and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
By the time she was out Australia required another 66 at run per delivery - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the belief to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if necessary, we believe we can achieve it."
These statements will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup want to hear.
In recent days a sense they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory succeeding success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to torn 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 with the discomfort.
But while she later admitted those physical issues have delayed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.