Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for Australia to set fresh records.
The top summits have already been conquered.
This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the record chasers, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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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, taking back their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over five decades.
It's difficult for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the chance.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a platform to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the following one-day championship 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.
If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind final game tension. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this hundred was considerably tougher to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in training, it was a disappointing period because it seemed I lacked timing whatsoever," said Healy.
"But once you take the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's competitive nature has always been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was underway.
"The possibility to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun that way, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
When she was out Australia needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the belief to accomplish that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if we do, we are confident we can achieve it."
These statements will be the final thing rival teams at this tournament want to hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory following victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have delayed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.