The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the record chasers, are what's still available for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their batters to hold a record if not afforded the possibility.
In the end, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a chance to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her debut and seven world titles have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fall short again.
Whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort is debatable.
Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What is certain is this hundred was far harder to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in training, it's been a frustrating experience because I feel like I lacked timing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit take over and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that the batsman was on her way.
"An opportunity to play and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
By the time she was out her side needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the confidence to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if we do, we believe we can succeed."
These statements will be the last competing nations at this tournament should hear.
In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this victory following win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.
During that phase they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she wished she had played despite the injury.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have postponed consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as leader.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.