Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the record chasers, are what's still available for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the possibility.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have resulted from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
Whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was considerably tougher to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this innings was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it was a disappointing period because it seemed my form was missing completely," said Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive nature take over and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was in motion.
"A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
By the time she was out Australia needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the belief to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if we do, we are confident we can achieve it."
That comment will be the last Australia's opponents at this championship need to hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this success succeeding success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wished she had played despite the injury.
But while she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have postponed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is expected to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.