The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for Australia to set fresh records.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the record chasers, are the only things left for a team that has achieved everything.
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The fact it required as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It is hard for their batters to hold a record if not afforded the chance.
Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to produce her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fail again.
If this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was much more difficult to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in the nets, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," stated Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your fighting spirit take over and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
A single came off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was underway.
"The possibility to play and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
By the time she was removed the team needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the confidence to accomplish that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we are confident we can do it."
Those words will be the last rival teams at this championship want to hear.
During the last week a sense they will win from any position has only strengthened - this victory following win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.
During that phase they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she regretted not playing through the pain.
But while she later admitted those fitness problems have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as captain.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.