Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the record chasers, are all that remain for a side that has achieved everything.
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The fact it required up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their hitters to possess a record if never given the possibility.
Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to deliver her most recent brilliance.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
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 guaranteed her country would not fall short again.
If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the argument supporting final game tension. Others can counter 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 far harder to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this innings was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm at all," commented Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit activate and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and from that point Healy was underway.
"An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
When she was out the team needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the assurance to achieve that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if necessary, we believe we can succeed."
Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this championship should hear.
During the last week a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this success succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against 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 shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have postponed plans to retire, this tournament is likely to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a global event as skipper.
Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.