The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's tough for Australia to break new ground.
The top summits have long been mastered.
We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a squad that has achieved everything.
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That it took as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It's challenging for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the chance.
Finally, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a chance to produce her most recent brilliance.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her bow and seven global championships have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
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 guaranteed her country would not fail again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Many contend the argument supporting championship match pressure. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was far harder to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this performance came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it's been a challenging time because it appeared I lacked timing at all," stated Healy.
"However when you take the field, your competitive instincts take over and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her great strength - and a priceless quality in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from that point Healy was underway.
"A chance to take the field and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was out her side needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if we do, we know we can achieve it."
Those words will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this tournament should hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this victory following success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she later said she wished she had played through the pain.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.