Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.
This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a squad that has won it all.
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It needed up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It's challenging for their batsmen to hold a record if not afforded the possibility.
Ultimately, the result of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a chance to deliver her newest gem.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Many contend the case for championship match pressure. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was much more difficult to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this innings came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in training, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed I lacked timing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive nature take over 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 troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and after that the right-hander was on her way.
"A chance to take the field and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was out the team needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if necessary, we know we can succeed."
These statements will be the last rival teams at this championship should hear.
During the last week a sense they will win from any position has grown stronger - this victory succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wished she had played with the discomfort.
However although she afterwards confessed those physical issues have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as captain.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.