The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the record chasers, are all that remain for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their batters to possess a record if not provided the possibility.
Finally, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her bow and seven global championships have followed from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not come up short.
If this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Many contend the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was much more difficult to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught 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 the nets, it's been a challenging time because I feel like I've had no rhythm at all," said Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
A single came off the opening delivery and from that point the right-hander was on her way.
"The possibility to take the field and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun that way, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
By the time she was dismissed Australia needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the confidence to accomplish that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if necessary, we are confident we can achieve it."
Those words will be the last competing nations at this tournament want to hear.
In recent days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this success following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she later said she wished she had played despite the injury.
However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have postponed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as captain.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.