The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the record chasers, are what's still available for a team that has achieved everything.
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That it took up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over five decades.
It's difficult for their batsmen to maintain a record if not afforded the opportunity.
Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex 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 witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have followed from 10 tries across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fail again.
Whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort can be debated.
Some will argue the case for final game tension. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was far harder to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance 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 the nets, it's been a disappointing period because it appeared I lacked timing at all," stated Healy.
"But once you take the field, your competitive nature kick in and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and a priceless quality in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was on her way.
"The possibility to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
When she was removed her side needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the confidence to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, should it happen, we know we can achieve it."
That comment will be the last rival teams at this tournament want to hear.
In recent days a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this triumph coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
So great is her will, she later said she wished she had played through the pain.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper.
Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.