Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's difficult for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the record chasers, are what's still available for a side that has achieved everything.
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It needed as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It is hard for their batsmen to maintain a record if not provided the possibility.
In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to create her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.
The question of whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display is debatable.
Many contend the argument supporting final game tension. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was much more difficult to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in the nets, it's been a disappointing period because it seemed I've had no rhythm completely," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you just lock into the match."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her great strength - and a priceless quality in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and after that the right-hander was in motion.
"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," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
Once she was removed her side required another 66 at run per delivery - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the confidence to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if we do, we know we can do it."
These statements will be the last rival teams at this World Cup need to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals 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 an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated through the pain.
But while she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as skipper.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.