Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The top summits have already been conquered.
This is the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the record chasers, are the only things left for a squad that has won it all.
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It needed up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their batters to maintain a record if not provided the possibility.
Ultimately, the result of Australia conceding 330 was captain 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 made her debut in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her bow and seven world titles have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
If this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was much more difficult to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in the nets, it's been a challenging time because it seemed my form was missing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature activate and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was underway.
"The possibility to go out there and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
When she was dismissed the team required another 66 at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I am glad we have the assurance to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if we do, we believe we can do it."
These statements will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this World Cup should hear.
During the last week a feeling they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory coming after win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing despite the injury.
However although she later admitted those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is likely to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a global event as skipper.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.