Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's a challenge for Australia to set fresh records.
The top summits have already been conquered.
We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It's challenging for their batsmen to maintain a record if not provided the possibility.
Finally, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to deliver her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia 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 international trophies have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
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 made sure her country would not fall short again.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.
Many contend the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was considerably tougher to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this innings was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in training, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared I've had no rhythm at all," said Healy.
"However when you take the field, your competitive instincts activate and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
A single came off the opening delivery and after that the batsman was underway.
"The possibility to take the field and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
By the time she was removed the team needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if necessary, we are confident we can do it."
That comment will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this tournament want to hear.
In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this triumph succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated through the pain.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.