The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
This is the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, those for the peak baggers, are what's still available for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It is hard for their batsmen to hold a record if never given the possibility.
Finally, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a chance to produce her newest gem.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her debut and seven world titles have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.
If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Certain people claim the argument supporting final game tension. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was far harder to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this performance was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it was a challenging time because it appeared I've had no rhythm whatsoever," stated Healy.
"But once you step out on the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you just lock into the match."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from that point Healy was underway.
"A chance to go out there and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
When she was out the team required another 66 at one run per ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the confidence to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if we do, we are confident we can do it."
That comment will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this championship need to hear.
In recent days a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory following success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as skipper.
Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.