The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are all that remain for a side that has achieved everything.
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It needed as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It is hard for their batters to possess a record if never given the opportunity.
Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy being given a chance to produce her newest gem.
Then best known as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.
That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fail again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Certain people claim the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What is certain is this ton was far harder to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this performance 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 the nets, it has been a frustrating experience because I feel like my form was missing at all," commented Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive nature take over and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the right-hander was underway.
"An opportunity to play and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun that way, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
When she was dismissed Australia needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if necessary, we are confident we can succeed."
Those words will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup need to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this success coming after win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have delayed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper 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.