The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a team that has achieved everything.
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That it took up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the pitchers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It's difficult for their batsmen to hold a record if never given the chance.
Finally, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her debut and seven global championships have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not come up short.
If this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this ton was much more difficult to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in training, it has been a disappointing period because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit activate and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was underway.
"A chance to play and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
When she was removed Australia needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the confidence to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we are confident we can do it."
Those words will be the last rival teams at this World Cup need to hear.
In recent days a feeling they will win from any position has become more firm - this success coming after victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
It was in the semi-finals they left last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed 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 through the pain.
However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have postponed consideration of ending her career, this championship is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a global event as captain.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.