Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for Australia to set fresh records.
The top summits have long been mastered.
We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a side that has won it all.
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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, regaining their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their batsmen to hold a record if never given the possibility.
In the end, the result of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy being given a chance to create her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.
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 latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Some will argue the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was considerably tougher to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as 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 been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it was a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm whatsoever," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive nature activate and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from there Healy was on her way.
"An opportunity to go out there and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
Once she was dismissed Australia required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we believe we can succeed."
That comment will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this World Cup need to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will win from any position has only strengthened - this triumph coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she wanted to have participated through the pain.
Yet even as she later admitted those injuries have delayed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is anticipated as her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as skipper.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.