The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.
The top summits have already been conquered.
This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are all that remain for a team that has won it all.
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That it took as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their hitters to hold a record if never given the possibility.
Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a platform to produce her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her bow and seven international trophies have come from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," 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 guaranteed her country would not come up short.
If this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Some will argue the case for championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was far harder to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in training, it was a challenging time because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.
"But once you take the field, your competitive instincts take over and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.
A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from there the batsman was underway.
"A chance to take the field and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
When she was dismissed the team required another 66 at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the belief to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, should it happen, we are confident we can succeed."
These statements will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this tournament want to hear.
In recent days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this triumph following success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have delayed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as leader.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.