Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a squad that has achieved everything.
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That it took up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.
It is hard for their batsmen to possess a record if not afforded the possibility.
Finally, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to produce her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her debut and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fall short again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display is debatable.
Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What is certain is this ton was much more difficult to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this performance followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it has been a disappointing period because I feel like I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive instincts activate and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by 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 from there the batsman was on her way.
"The possibility to take the field and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
By the time she was removed the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I am glad we have the belief to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if we do, we believe we can do it."
These statements will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup should hear.
During the last week a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this success following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
During that phase they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match 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 regretted not playing with the discomfort.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have delayed thoughts of retirement, this championship is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as skipper.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.