The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The top summits have long been mastered.
This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, those for the peak baggers, are the only things left for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the pitchers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It's challenging for their hitters to maintain a record if never given the possibility.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her newest gem.
Originally famous as the teenage relative 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 conducted earlier 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 global championships have resulted from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the case for championship match pressure. Some might respond with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this performance followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in training, it was a frustrating experience because it seemed I lacked timing completely," commented Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts take over and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and from there the right-hander was in motion.
"An opportunity to go out there and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was dismissed the team needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the belief to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if we do, we are confident we can achieve it."
These statements will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this tournament need to hear.
During the last week a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this triumph coming after victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
During that phase they exited last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
However although she later admitted those injuries have delayed consideration of ending her career, this championship is expected to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as skipper.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.