The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the record chasers, are what's still available for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It is hard for their batters to hold a record if never given the opportunity.
In the end, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have followed from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
If this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the argument supporting final game tension. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was much more difficult to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in the nets, it has been a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your fighting spirit activate and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and after that the batsman was underway.
"An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself that way, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
By the time she was removed Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if necessary, we know we can achieve it."
Those words will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this World Cup want to hear.
In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this triumph following victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated through the pain.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have delayed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as captain.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.