The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.
It is hard for their batsmen to hold a record if never given the chance.
Finally, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played 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 happened three months after her debut and seven world titles have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well 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 stated recently.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Some will argue the reasoning behind final game tension. Some might respond with the test that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because I feel like I lacked timing at all," stated Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature activate and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and a priceless quality in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and after that Healy was underway.
"A chance to go out there and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
By the time she was dismissed Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the assurance to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we are confident we can succeed."
That comment will be the final thing competing nations at this championship should hear.
During the last week a sense they will win from any position has become more firm - this triumph coming after victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at an important competition.
So great is her will, she later said she wanted to have participated through the pain.
However although she later admitted those injuries have postponed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is expected to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as skipper.
Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.