Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a team that has achieved everything.
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It needed up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowlers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It's challenging for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the opportunity.
Ultimately, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to create her newest gem.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her bow and seven international trophies 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 successful run.
That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fail again.
If this latest epic knock topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What is certain is this ton was far harder to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this knock came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in training, it was a frustrating experience because it seemed my form was missing completely," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you take the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from that point Healy was underway.
"An opportunity to play 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 deliveries - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
Once she was removed the team required another 66 at run per delivery - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm happy we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if necessary, we are confident we can succeed."
That comment will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this championship need to hear.
In recent days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this victory following victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they left last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at an important competition.
So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wished she had played through the pain.
Yet even as she later admitted those injuries have delayed thoughts of retirement, this championship is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as captain.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.