Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their batsmen to hold a record if not afforded the possibility.
In the end, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to deliver her newest gem.
Then best known as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her bow and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Many contend the case for final game tension. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was considerably tougher to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when 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.
"For those following me in the nets, it was a challenging time because it appeared my form was missing at all," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive instincts activate and you completely engage with the match."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her key asset - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was in motion.
"An opportunity to go out there and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
By the time she was removed her side required another 66 at run per delivery - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the belief to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if necessary, we believe we can do it."
Those words will be the last Australia's opponents at this World Cup should hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will win from any position has become more firm - this success coming after success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they left last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing despite the injury.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have delayed plans to retire, this tournament is likely to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as leader.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.