The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the record chasers, are what's still available 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 achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if not provided the possibility.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a platform to create her most recent brilliance.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the argument supporting championship match pressure. Others can counter 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 destruction in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this knock followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it's been a challenging time because it seemed my form was missing at all," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive instincts activate and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
A single came off the opening delivery and from there the batsman was underway.
"The possibility to play and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun that way, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
When she was out the team required another 66 at run per delivery - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if necessary, we are confident we can achieve it."
That comment will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this championship need to hear.
During the last week a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this triumph succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they left last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a significant event.
So great is her will, she later said she wanted to have participated through the pain.
Yet even as she later admitted those injuries have postponed consideration of ending her career, this championship is expected to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as leader.
Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.