The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, targeted by the record chasers, are the only things left for a team that has won it all.
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That it took as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their batsmen to possess a record if not provided the opportunity.
In the end, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given a platform to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her debut and seven global championships have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not come up short.
Whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the argument supporting championship match pressure. Others can counter with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was far harder to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this innings 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 training, it has been a challenging time because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," said Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your fighting spirit take over and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and after that the right-hander was in motion.
"An opportunity to go out there and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
When she was dismissed the team required another 66 at run per delivery - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the belief to accomplish that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if we do, we believe we can succeed."
That comment will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this tournament need to hear.
In recent days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this success succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she wanted to have participated through the pain.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a global event as captain.
Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.