The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have already been conquered.
This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a side that has achieved everything.
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It needed until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their hitters to hold a record if not provided the chance.
Finally, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was much more difficult to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this knock 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 the nets, it has been a challenging time because it seemed I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your fighting spirit activate and you just lock into the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her great strength - and a priceless quality in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and from there the right-hander was on her way.
"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 balls - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
Once she was removed her side required another 66 at one run per ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm happy we have the confidence to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, should it happen, we believe we can achieve it."
That comment will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this tournament need to hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory succeeding win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
It was at that stage they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
But while she later admitted those fitness problems have postponed plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a global event as leader.
Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.