Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the record chasers, are the only things left for a squad that has won it all.
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It needed as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if never given the possibility.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to produce her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation failed to win 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 arrived three months after her debut and seven global championships have resulted from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the run of success.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not come up short.
Whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.
Many contend the argument supporting final game tension. Others can counter with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was much more difficult to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this innings followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've observed me in training, it has been a frustrating experience because it appeared I lacked timing at all," commented Healy.
"However when you take the field, your fighting spirit activate and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her great strength - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was in motion.
"The possibility to take the field and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
By the time she was removed Australia needed 66 more at run per delivery - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to do that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we are confident we can do it."
That comment will be the last rival teams at this World Cup need to hear.
During the last week a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this success following success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wished she had played through the pain.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as skipper.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.