The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's difficult for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and once went over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a squad that has achieved everything.
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The fact it required as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the possibility.
In the end, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to create her newest gem.
Then best known as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her bow and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display is debatable.
Some will argue the case for championship match pressure. Some might respond with the test that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this innings was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in the nets, it was a disappointing period because it appeared my form was missing at all," commented Healy.
"But once you take the field, your competitive nature activate and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from that point Healy was on her way.
"An opportunity to play and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
Once she was out her side needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if necessary, we believe we can achieve it."
That comment will be the last competing nations at this championship need to hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this success succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wished she had played despite the injury.
However although she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have postponed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.