The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to set fresh records.
The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.
This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a team that has achieved everything.
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The fact it required as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It's challenging for their hitters to maintain a record if not afforded the chance.
Ultimately, the result of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy getting a platform to produce her most recent brilliance.
Originally famous as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her debut and seven world titles have come from 10 tries across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Many contend the case for 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 ton was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this performance was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it was a disappointing period because it seemed I lacked timing whatsoever," said Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit activate and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has always been her great strength - and a priceless quality in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from there the right-hander was underway.
"An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was dismissed her side needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if necessary, we believe we can do it."
That comment will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this championship should hear.
In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this triumph succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they left the previous 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 inaugural occasion at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wished she had played despite the injury.
But while she later admitted those physical issues have pushed back plans to retire, this championship is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as leader.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.