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 greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are what's still available for a team 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, taking back their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their hitters to hold a record if not afforded the chance.
In the end, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a platform to produce her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 championship victory came three months after her debut and seven global championships have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fail again.
If this latest epic knock topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What is certain is this hundred was considerably tougher to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this knock was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in training, it has been a challenging time because it appeared my form was missing completely," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your fighting spirit take over and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and after that the batsman was in motion.
"A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
When she was out Australia required another 66 at run per delivery - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the confidence to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, should it happen, we believe we can achieve it."
That comment will be the last competing nations at this World Cup need to hear.
During the last week a sense they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this victory succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she later said she wished she had played despite the injury.
But while she afterwards confessed those injuries have delayed plans to retire, this championship is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as leader.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.