The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The top summits have already been conquered.
This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the record chasers, are what's still available for a squad that has won it all.
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The fact it required until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It is hard for their batters to hold a record if not provided the chance.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to produce her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have followed from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.
The question of whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort can be debated.
Some will argue the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the test that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this ton was considerably tougher to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage 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 been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared my form was missing completely," stated Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive nature kick in and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was on her way.
"The possibility to go out there and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.
When she was out Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the belief to accomplish that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we are confident we can succeed."
That comment will be the last rival teams at this World Cup need to hear.
In recent days a feeling they will win from any position has grown stronger - this victory following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated through the pain.
But while she later admitted those fitness problems have delayed plans to retire, this tournament is expected to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as skipper.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.