Australia Establishes a Fresh Record 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.
This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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The fact it required as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It's challenging for their hitters to hold a record if not afforded the opportunity.
Ultimately, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to create her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her bow and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fail again.
If this latest epic knock topped that previous effort is debatable.
Many contend the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this ton was considerably tougher to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in the nets, it has been a challenging time because it seemed my form was missing whatsoever," said Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the young fast 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 in motion.
"An opportunity to play and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
When she was out Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the belief to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, should it happen, we know we can succeed."
That comment will be the final thing rival teams at this tournament want to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this success following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing despite the injury.
But while she later admitted those injuries have postponed plans to retire, this tournament is likely to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as captain.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.