Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The top summits have long been mastered.
We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the record chasers, are all that remain for a team that has achieved everything.
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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, taking back their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.
It is hard for their hitters to maintain a record if not provided the opportunity.
Finally, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting a chance to create her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her debut and seven international trophies have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort can be debated.
Some will argue the reasoning behind final game tension. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was far harder to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this performance came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because it seemed my form was missing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"But once you step out on the field, your competitive nature kick in and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her key asset - and a priceless quality in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from there the right-hander was on her way.
"An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun that way, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
By the time she was removed Australia needed 66 more at run per delivery - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the belief to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we believe we can achieve it."
Those words will be the last Australia's opponents at this World Cup should hear.
During the last week a feeling they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this success succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
So great is her will, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing despite the injury.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have postponed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as captain.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.