Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for Australia to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a side that has won it all.
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The fact it required as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It's difficult for their hitters to maintain a record if never given the chance.
Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting a chance to create her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her debut and seven global championships have followed from 10 tries across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
Whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the case for championship match pressure. Some might respond with the test that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was far harder to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this knock came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it's been a frustrating experience because I feel like my form was missing at all," said Healy.
"However when you take the field, your competitive nature activate and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from that point Healy was underway.
"A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
When she was dismissed her side needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we believe we can do it."
These statements will be the last competing nations at this World Cup want to hear.
During the last week a belief they will win from any position has only strengthened - this triumph following victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing through the pain.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have postponed plans to retire, this championship is expected to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as skipper.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.