The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the record chasers, are all that remain for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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That it took as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their batters to hold a record if not afforded the chance.
In the end, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a platform to create her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her bow and seven global championships have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Certain people claim the argument supporting final game tension. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was considerably tougher to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this performance came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it has been a disappointing period because it seemed my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's competitive nature has always been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from 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 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and from that point the right-hander was in motion.
"The possibility to take the field and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
By the time she was out her side required another 66 at one run per ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the confidence to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we believe we can achieve it."
These statements will be the last Australia's opponents at this tournament want to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will win from any position has grown stronger - this success coming after win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a major tournament.
Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing through the pain.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have delayed plans to retire, this tournament is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as leader.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.