Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.
The top summits have long been mastered.
We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and once went over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a side that has won it all.
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It needed until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their hitters to hold a record if not provided the chance.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to produce her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 championship victory came three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.
The question of whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.
Many contend the argument supporting championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was much more difficult to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in training, it was a disappointing period because it seemed I've had no rhythm at all," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive nature kick in and you just lock into the match."
Healy's competitive nature has always been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and after that Healy was on her way.
"The possibility to go out there and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.
When she was dismissed Australia needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I am glad we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if we do, we are confident we can do it."
These statements will be the last competing nations at this World Cup should hear.
In recent days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this victory following success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she regretted not playing through the pain.
But while she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as captain.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.