Alyssa Healy posted a world record individual score in Australia's crushing Twenty20 win against Sri Lanka and it is a mark that could stand for some time.
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Healy crunched an extraordinary 148no off just 61 balls, surpassing the previous best of 133 set by teammate Meg Lanning just over two months ago in England.
Sri Lanka could only manage 7-94 in response to Australia's 2-226 as the world champions collected a mammoth 132-run victory at North Sydney Oval for an expected clean sweep of the three-match series.
Benefiting from a tough missed stumping opportunity early in her innings, Healy was at her free-flowing best finding the boundary with apparent ease as she racked up 19 boundaries and seven sixes.
"Today was extra special, it just seemed to be one of those days where everything came off alright," Healy said.
"It is a pleasing and exciting milestone to pass. It took me very a long time to get a one-day 100, and even longer to get a T20 one.
"They are not easy to come by in this format so it was nice to cash in today.
"I didn't change my mindset at all coming into the series, I was intent on going out there and getting the team off to a good start. Sometimes it comes off, sometimes it doesn't."
Healy lofted shots over the infield without fear, bringing up the record in the penultimate over with a six while Lanning watched on from the other end.
"There was a bit of banter when I saw it (the milestone) come up on the big screen, and I said 'I'm coming for you Meg'," Healy said.
"She said she would go for it if it was in the zone, otherwise she would get a single, which was nice team play there by Meg, and that is why she is skipper."
Healy, whose previous best in her 100-match career was 90, ticked off several milestones.
She scored the fastest half-century by an Australian and the second fastest ton in women's international T20 matches behind the West Indies' Deandra Dottin 38-ball onslaught against South Africa at the 2010 T20 World Cup.
Healy brought up her half century off 25 balls, and needed just 19 more deliveries to reach three figures.
It was another strong all-round display for Australia ahead of the three-match one-day series which commences on Saturday.
Rachael Haynes was in fine touch for 41 off 37 balls, posting a 109-run second-wicket stand with Healy.
Nicola Carey collected the bowling honours with 3-15, including the wicket of Sri Lanka star Chamari Atapattu (30) who again top-scored for her side.
Australian Associated Press
