Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the record chasers, are what's still available for a team that has achieved everything.
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It needed until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It is hard for their batters to hold a record if not afforded the chance.
Finally, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to deliver her most recent brilliance.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country failed to win 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 World Cup win arrived three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 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 recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was far harder to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in training, it has been a disappointing period because it appeared I've had no rhythm at all," commented Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive nature activate and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was in motion.
"A chance to go out there and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
By the time she was removed Australia required another 66 at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the assurance to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, should it happen, we are confident we can succeed."
Those words will be the last competing nations at this tournament need to hear.
In recent days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this triumph succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she later said she wished she had played through the pain.
However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have delayed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as leader.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.