The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The top summits have long been mastered.
We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, those for the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a squad that has won it all.
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That it took until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their batsmen to possess a record if not provided the opportunity.
Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to deliver her newest gem.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fail again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Many contend the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was far harder to predict.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this innings was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your fighting spirit activate and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and after that the batsman was on her way.
"An opportunity to take the field and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
By the time she was out Australia needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the belief to achieve that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we know we can achieve it."
That comment will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this championship should hear.
In recent days a sense they will win from any position has grown stronger - this victory succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
It was in the semi-finals they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a significant event.
So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
However although she afterwards confessed those physical issues have postponed thoughts of retirement, this championship is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over 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.