Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's difficult for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and once went over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowlers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It's challenging for their batsmen to maintain a record if not afforded the possibility.
Finally, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to produce her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
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 declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not come up short.
Whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.
Some will argue the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was considerably tougher to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this innings was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it's been a challenging time because it appeared my form was missing at all," said Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature take over and you completely engage with the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and a priceless quality in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was underway.
"An opportunity to go out there and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
Once she was dismissed her side required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, should it happen, we know we can achieve it."
These statements will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup want to hear.
During the last week a belief they will win from any position has grown stronger - this triumph succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she later said she wanted to have participated through the pain.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.