Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a side that has won it all.
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The fact it required as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It's challenging for their batters to hold a record if never given the opportunity.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a platform to create her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the run of success.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over 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 fail again.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.
Many contend the case for championship match pressure. Some might respond with the test that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was much more difficult to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this knock was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it was a challenging time because it seemed my form was missing completely," commented Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her key asset - 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, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and from that point Healy was in motion.
"A chance to go out there and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
By the time she was removed her side needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the belief to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if we do, we know we can achieve it."
That comment will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup need to hear.
During the last week a sense they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this triumph succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have postponed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as captain.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.