The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the record chasers, are the only things left for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their batters to maintain a record if not provided the possibility.
Finally, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to deliver her newest gem.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her debut and seven international trophies have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was much more difficult to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in training, it's been a challenging time because it appeared I've had no rhythm at all," said Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit kick in and you completely engage with the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and from that point the right-hander was underway.
"The possibility to take the field and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun that way, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
By the time she was removed her side needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the assurance to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, should it happen, we believe we can do it."
Those words will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this tournament want to hear.
In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this triumph succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
So great is her will, she later said she wished she had played despite the injury.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as skipper.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.