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 been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the record chasers, are the only things left for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It is hard for their hitters to possess a record if never given the possibility.
Finally, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to create her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.
That loss "motivated 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 title decider and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fall short again.
If this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort can be debated.
Some will argue the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was far harder to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this knock followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it was a challenging time because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive nature kick in and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in all three matches, 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 go out there and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
By the time she was removed the team required another 66 at run per delivery - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we believe we can do it."
Those words will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this tournament need to hear.
During the last week a belief they will win from any position has grown stronger - this victory coming after win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face 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.
During that phase they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as leader.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.