Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
This is the squad that has secured 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, the ones sought by the record chasers, are the only things left for a side that has achieved everything.
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That it took up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It is hard for their batsmen to hold a record if not provided the possibility.
Finally, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over 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 global championships have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not come up short.
If this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the argument supporting final game tension. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because I feel like I lacked timing at all," stated Healy.
"However when you take the field, your fighting spirit activate and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was underway.
"A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
Once she was dismissed her side needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I am glad we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if we do, we know we can achieve it."
These statements will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this tournament should hear.
During the last week a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this victory coming after win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she wished she had played through the pain.
However although she later admitted those fitness problems have postponed plans to retire, this championship is anticipated as her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as skipper.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.
