The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the record chasers, are what's still available for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their batsmen to maintain a record if never given the opportunity.
Finally, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given a platform to deliver her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her bow and seven global championships have come from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Many contend the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this ton was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this knock came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it was a disappointing period because I feel like I lacked timing at all," said Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive nature kick in and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her great strength - and a priceless quality in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from that point Healy was on her way.
"A chance to go out there and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
When she was out her side needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the confidence to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, should it happen, we are confident we can succeed."
Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this tournament want to hear.
During the last week a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this success coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a major tournament.
Such is her determination, she later said she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
However although she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this tournament is likely to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as captain.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.