The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for Australia to break new ground.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a team that has won it all.
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The fact it required up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It's challenging for their batsmen to hold a record if not provided the possibility.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given a platform to produce her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her debut and seven global championships have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display is debatable.
Many contend the case for final game tension. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What is certain is this hundred was much more difficult to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction 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 failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it's been a challenging time because it appeared I lacked timing completely," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive instincts take over and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from there 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 regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
By the time she was removed her side needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we are confident we can do it."
Those words will be the ultimate thing rival teams 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 run margin despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she later said she regretted not playing through the pain.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this championship is likely to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as skipper.
Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.