Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for Australia to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the peak baggers, are all that remain for a team that has won it all.
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The fact it required up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their batters to hold a record if not provided the opportunity.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to create her most recent brilliance.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her debut and seven world titles have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.
Many contend the case for championship match pressure. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was far harder to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock was preceded by six games 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 challenging time because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," stated Healy.
"However when you take the field, your competitive nature take over and you just lock into the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her key asset - and a priceless quality in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was in motion.
"An opportunity to play and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
By the time she was removed the team required another 66 at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the belief to accomplish that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, should it happen, we are confident we can succeed."
These statements will be the last Australia's opponents at this tournament should hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this success coming after victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling 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 probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they left the prior 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 captained her nation for the initial instance at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this championship is expected to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as skipper.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.