The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their hitters to maintain a record if not afforded the possibility.
In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort can be debated.
Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the test that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was far harder to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it was a challenging time because it seemed I've had no rhythm at all," commented Healy.
"But once you take the field, your competitive nature take over and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and after that Healy was on her way.
"A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
By the time she was dismissed her side required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the assurance to do that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, should it happen, we know we can succeed."
That comment will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup need to hear.
In recent days a sense they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this success following victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a significant event.
So great is her will, she later said she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
But while she later admitted those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this championship is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a global event as leader.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.