The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the peak baggers, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their batsmen to maintain a record if not provided the chance.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a platform to produce her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory 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 briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
If this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Some will argue the case for championship match pressure. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was considerably tougher to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it was a disappointing period because it seemed I lacked timing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"But once you step out on the field, your fighting spirit activate and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from there the right-hander was in motion.
"An opportunity to play and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
When she was out the team needed 66 more at one run per ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the assurance to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if necessary, we are confident we can succeed."
Those words will be the last Australia's opponents at this World Cup want to hear.
In recent days a sense they will win from any position has become more firm - this triumph succeeding win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with 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 left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing despite the injury.
But while she later admitted those physical issues have postponed thoughts of retirement, this championship is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as captain.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.