Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The top summits have long been mastered.
We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and once went over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are what's still available for a side that has achieved everything.
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That it took up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It's difficult for their batsmen to possess a record if never given the opportunity.
Ultimately, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to create her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have come from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," 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 made sure her country would not fall short again.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort is debatable.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind final game tension. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase 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 came as she led the batting statistics, but this knock was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've been watching me in training, it was a challenging time because it seemed I lacked timing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"But once you take the field, your competitive nature kick in and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and after that the right-hander was on her way.
"A chance to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was removed her side required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we believe we can do it."
These statements will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this World Cup want to hear.
In recent days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this triumph succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they exited the prior 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 guided Australia for the initial instance at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wished she had played despite the injury.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as captain.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.