The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.
This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, targeted by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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The fact it required until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the pitchers 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 outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to create her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her debut and seven international trophies have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.
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 fail again.
If this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was much more difficult to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, 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.
"If you've observed me in the nets, it has been a disappointing period because it appeared I've had no rhythm whatsoever," said Healy.
"But once you take the field, your competitive nature take over and you just lock into the match."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the batsman was in motion.
"The possibility to go out there and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun that way, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
Once she was dismissed her side needed 66 more at one run per ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the assurance to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, should it happen, we believe we can achieve it."
These statements will be the final thing rival teams at this championship want to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will win from any position has grown stronger - this victory succeeding success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
During that phase they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she wished she had played despite the injury.
But while she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as leader.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.