Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the record chasers, are what's still available for a squad that has won it all.
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It needed as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their batsmen to hold a record if not provided the possibility.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to produce her newest gem.
Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 championship victory came three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fall short again.
If this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Many contend the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What is certain is this ton was considerably tougher to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in training, it was a frustrating experience because I feel like I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.
"But once you take the field, your competitive nature take over and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from that point Healy was underway.
"The possibility to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
When she was out Australia required another 66 at run per delivery - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the assurance to do that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we know we can succeed."
These statements will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this World Cup should hear.
In recent days a belief they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this victory following win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she later said she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
However although she later admitted those injuries have delayed plans to retire, this tournament is expected to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as leader.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.