The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are all that remain for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took up to 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 testament to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It's challenging for their batters to maintain a record if not provided the chance.
Ultimately, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to deliver 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 experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.
Whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Many contend the case for final game tension. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was far harder to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this innings came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in training, it was a frustrating experience because I feel like my form was missing at all," stated Healy.
"However when you take the field, your fighting spirit take over and you completely engage with the match."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from there the batsman was in motion.
"An opportunity to go out there and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun that way, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was out Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the confidence to achieve that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we are confident we can succeed."
That comment will be the last rival teams at this tournament need to hear.
During the last week a sense they will win from any position has become more firm - this triumph succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated through the pain.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have delayed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is expected to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as leader.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.