The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the record chasers, are the only things left for a team that has achieved everything.
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It needed until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over five decades.
It is hard for their batters to hold a record if not provided the chance.
In the end, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to deliver her newest gem.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia 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.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fall short again.
Whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this ton was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in the nets, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared I've had no rhythm at all," commented Healy.
"However when you take the field, your competitive nature take over and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from there the right-hander was in motion.
"The possibility to go out there and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
When she was dismissed her side needed 66 more at run per delivery - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the belief to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if necessary, we believe we can achieve it."
These statements will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this tournament need to hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will win from any position has grown stronger - this triumph coming after win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she wanted to have participated through the pain.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as captain.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.