The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's a challenge for Australia 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 an additional six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad that has won it all.
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It needed until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It is hard for their hitters to possess a record if never given the opportunity.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a chance to produce her newest gem.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her debut and seven international trophies have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.
That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not come up short.
If this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the case for final game tension. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was much more difficult to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in the nets, it has been a disappointing period because I feel like I lacked timing at all," commented Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive nature activate and you completely engage with the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was underway.
"A chance to go out there and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
By the time she was removed the team needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the belief 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 ultimate thing competing nations at this championship want to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will win from any position has become more firm - this success succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing despite the injury.
But while she afterwards confessed those physical issues have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as skipper.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.