Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
This is the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a side that has achieved everything.
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The fact it required as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their batsmen to hold a record if not provided the possibility.
In the end, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to create her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her debut and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
If this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the argument supporting final game tension. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was far harder to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, 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 the nets, it has been a disappointing period because it appeared I lacked timing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive nature kick in and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from there Healy was underway.
"An opportunity to play and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
When she was dismissed her side needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the belief to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if necessary, we know we can do it."
That comment will be the last rival teams at this championship want to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will win from any position has only strengthened - this triumph following victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
So great is her will, she later said she wished she had played with the discomfort.
Yet even as she later admitted those physical issues have delayed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as captain.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.