Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are all that remain for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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The fact it required up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It's challenging for their batters to hold a record if not provided the chance.
In the end, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her newest gem.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her debut and seven world titles have come from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the run of success.
That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fall short again.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort can be debated.
Some will argue the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was considerably tougher to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this knock was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in training, it has been a frustrating experience because I feel like I've had no rhythm whatsoever," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive instincts take over and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her great strength - and a priceless quality in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was in motion.
"A chance to go out there and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
When she was dismissed her side needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the belief to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we know we can achieve it."
These statements will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this tournament want to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this success coming after win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
But while she afterwards confessed those injuries have postponed plans to retire, this tournament is anticipated as her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.