Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The top summits have already been conquered.
This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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The fact it required up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It is hard for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the chance.
In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her debut and seven global championships have resulted from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Some will argue the case for final game tension. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was far harder to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this innings was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it has been a challenging time because it seemed my form was missing at all," said Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and after that the right-hander was underway.
"The possibility to take the field and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
By the time she was out her side required another 66 at one run per ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if we do, we know we can succeed."
Those words will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this tournament should hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will win from any position has only strengthened - this triumph coming after victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
During that phase they were eliminated from the previous 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 led her country for the initial instance at a significant event.
So great is her will, she later said she wished she had played through the pain.
But while she afterwards confessed those physical issues have delayed thoughts of retirement, this championship is expected to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as captain.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.