The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record 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 been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a side that has won it all.
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It needed until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their batters to hold a record if never given the opportunity.
Finally, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a chance to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her bow and seven global championships have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fail again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Some will argue the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was much more difficult to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it's been a challenging time because it seemed I lacked timing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts activate and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her great strength - and a priceless quality in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from that point Healy was on her way.
"A chance to go out there and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
By the time she was removed her side required another 66 at one run per ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I am glad 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 are confident we can succeed."
Those words will be the last Australia's opponents at this championship need to hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this triumph coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they left the previous 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 guided Australia for the initial instance at a significant event.
So great is her will, she later said she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have postponed plans to retire, this championship is expected to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as leader.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.