Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's a challenge for Australia to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a team that has achieved everything.
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That it took 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 highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It's difficult for their batters to maintain a record if not provided the possibility.
In the end, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a chance to produce her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her bow and seven world titles have followed from 10 tries across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was much more difficult to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this innings followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in training, it has been a challenging time because I feel like I've had no rhythm completely," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive nature kick in and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from there the right-hander was on her way.
"The possibility to play and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was out Australia required another 66 at one run per ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the assurance to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, should it happen, we believe we can do it."
Those words will be the last Australia's opponents at this World Cup need to hear.
During the last week a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory succeeding success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play 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.
During that phase they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she wished she had played with the discomfort.
But while she later admitted those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this tournament is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as captain.
Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.