The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The top summits have long been mastered.
This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the peak baggers, are what's still available for a side that has achieved everything.
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It needed until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It's challenging for their hitters to maintain a record if not afforded the chance.
Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy being given a platform to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation 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.
Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her debut and seven world titles have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
Whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind final game tension. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was much more difficult to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this innings came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it's been a disappointing period because it appeared I've had no rhythm at all," commented Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive nature kick in and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's competitive nature has always been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from there the right-hander was on her way.
"An opportunity to play and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun that way, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was out the team needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the confidence to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we believe we can do it."
That comment will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this tournament should hear.
During the last week a sense they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this triumph coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at an important competition.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing despite the injury.
But while she later admitted those physical issues have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this championship is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.