The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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The fact it required up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their batters to hold a record if not afforded the chance.
Finally, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a platform to produce her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her bow and seven world titles have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the argument supporting championship match pressure. Others can counter with the test that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was much more difficult to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it was a challenging time because it seemed I lacked timing completely," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive nature take over and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her great strength - and a priceless quality in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.
A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from there the batsman was underway.
"A chance to go out there and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
Once she was dismissed the team required another 66 at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I am glad we have the assurance to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if we do, we are confident we can succeed."
Those words will be the last competing nations at this tournament need to hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this triumph following victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from 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 guided Australia for the initial instance at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wished she had played through the pain.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have delayed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as leader.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.