The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the peak baggers, are all that remain for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It is hard for their batsmen to hold a record if not afforded the possibility.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a platform to deliver her newest gem.
Then best known as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have come from 10 tries across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was considerably tougher to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in training, 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 just lock into the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and after that Healy was underway.
"A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
When she was removed Australia needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the belief to accomplish that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if necessary, we are confident we can succeed."
Those words will be the last rival teams at this championship want to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this triumph following win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they exited last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this championship is likely to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as captain.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.