The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, those for the record chasers, are what's still available for a side that has achieved everything.
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The fact it required until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It's challenging for their batters to possess a record if never given the chance.
Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to create her most recent brilliance.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort can be debated.
Some will argue the argument supporting final game tension. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this ton was considerably tougher to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches 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 frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm at all," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts activate and you completely engage with the match."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and from there the batsman was underway.
"A chance to play and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.
When she was removed her side needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the belief to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we know we can do it."
Those words will be the last Australia's opponents at this championship need to hear.
During the last week a feeling they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this triumph coming after victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at an important competition.
So great is her will, she later said she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have delayed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is anticipated as her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as leader.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.