Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.
The top summits have already been conquered.
This is the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the peak baggers, are the only things left 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 achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their hitters to maintain a record if not afforded the possibility.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given a chance to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have come from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
If this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the argument supporting final game tension. Others can counter with the test that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was far harder to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, 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 been watching me in practice sessions, it's been a frustrating experience because it appeared my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"However when you take the field, your competitive instincts take over and you completely engage with the match."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
A single came off the opening delivery and after that the batsman was on her way.
"A chance to play and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
When she was out her side required another 66 at run per delivery - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, should it happen, we know we can achieve it."
Those words will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this championship need to hear.
During the last week a sense they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this victory following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
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.
During that phase they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wished she had played through the pain.
But while she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have postponed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as captain.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.