The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, targeted by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their batsmen to possess a record if never given the possibility.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given a chance to create her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her debut and seven international trophies 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 successful run.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fail again.
Whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was far harder to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this innings followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in training, it has been a disappointing period because it seemed I lacked timing at all," stated Healy.
"But once you take the field, your competitive nature activate and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from there the right-hander was on her way.
"A chance to play and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
Once she was out the team needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," stated Healy further.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, should it happen, we are confident we can achieve it."
Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup want to hear.
In recent days a belief they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this victory coming after win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a major tournament.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wished she had played through the pain.
However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this championship is likely to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a global event as skipper.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.