Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the achievement hunters, 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 success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their batsmen to hold a record if not afforded the chance.
Finally, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her debut and seven international trophies have come from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not come up short.
Whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort is debatable.
Certain people claim the case for final game tension. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was far harder to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this performance followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've observed me in the nets, it was a challenging time because it appeared I lacked timing at all," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive nature activate and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and from there Healy was underway.
"The possibility to go out there and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
By the time she was removed the team needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the belief to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if we do, we are confident we can succeed."
Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this tournament need to hear.
In recent days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this victory coming after win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
During that phase they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.
Such is her determination, she later said she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have postponed plans to retire, this tournament is expected to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a global event as captain.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.