The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a team that has won it all.
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That it took as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It's difficult for their batsmen to possess a record if not afforded the chance.
In the end, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to create her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her bow and seven global championships have come from 10 tries across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not come up short.
Whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Others can counter 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 predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this performance followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in training, it was a frustrating experience because I feel like I've had no rhythm at all," commented Healy.
"But once you take the field, your fighting spirit activate and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from there the right-hander was underway.
"The possibility to go out there and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
By the time she was dismissed her side needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the assurance to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if necessary, we know we can succeed."
These statements will be the last rival teams at this World Cup need to hear.
During the last week a belief they will win from any position has only strengthened - this success following success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing despite the injury.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have postponed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as leader.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.