The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The top summits have long been mastered.
We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the peak baggers, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It's challenging for their batters to hold a record if never given the possibility.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy being given a platform to create her newest gem.
Then best known as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not come up short.
Whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.
Many contend the reasoning behind final game tension. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was much more difficult to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in training, it's been a frustrating experience because it appeared my form was missing at all," said Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit kick in and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from that point Healy was in motion.
"The possibility to play and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself that way, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
When she was removed the team needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the confidence to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if necessary, we know we can achieve it."
Those words will be the last rival teams at this tournament want to hear.
In recent days a sense they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they left last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wished she had played through the pain.
But while she afterwards confessed those physical issues have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as captain.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.