The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for Australia to set fresh records.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
This is the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a team that has achieved everything.
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It needed as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It is hard for their batsmen to possess a record if not afforded the possibility.
Finally, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to deliver her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory came three months after her bow and seven international trophies have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the following one-day championship 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 fail again.
Whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the argument supporting championship match pressure. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've observed me in training, it has been a challenging time because it seemed I've had no rhythm completely," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive nature kick in and you just lock into the match."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her key asset - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from there the batsman was underway.
"A chance to play and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
When she was dismissed Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the confidence to do that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, should it happen, we know we can do it."
That comment will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this World Cup want to hear.
During the last week a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this success succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wished she had played with the discomfort.
However although she later admitted those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as skipper.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.