The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The top summits have long been mastered.
This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their hitters to possess a record if never given the possibility.
Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory came three months after her debut and seven international trophies have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
Whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort is debatable.
Some will argue the argument supporting championship match pressure. Different voices suggest 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 much more difficult to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this performance followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it has been a disappointing period because it seemed my form was missing whatsoever," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive instincts take over and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from there the batsman was underway.
"An opportunity to play and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.
By the time she was out the team needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the assurance to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if we do, we know we can achieve it."
That comment will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup need to hear.
In recent days a feeling they will win from any position has grown stronger - this success succeeding win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as captain.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.