The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and once went over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It's difficult for their batters to hold a record if not provided the opportunity.
Finally, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a chance to produce her newest gem.
Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her bow and seven global championships have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Many contend the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this performance was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've been watching me in training, it has been a disappointing period because I feel like I lacked timing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"However when you take the field, your competitive instincts take over and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and after that Healy was in motion.
"An opportunity to play and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
By the time she was out Australia needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to do that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, should it happen, we believe we can succeed."
These statements will be the last rival teams at this World Cup need to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory following victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
However although she later admitted those physical issues have postponed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as captain.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.