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, plus another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, targeted by the record chasers, are the only things left for a team that has achieved everything.
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It needed until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their hitters to hold a record if never given the opportunity.
In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to create her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have come from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
Whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort can be debated.
Some will argue the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was much more difficult to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in training, it has been a challenging time because it appeared my form was missing completely," commented Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts take over and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her great strength - and a priceless quality in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was on her way.
"A chance to go out there and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
Once she was out her side needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the confidence to achieve that now," stated Healy further.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if we do, we are confident we can do it."
That comment will be the last rival teams at this tournament want to hear.
In recent days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
During that phase they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she later said she wished she had played with the discomfort.
But while she afterwards confessed those physical issues have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.