The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
This is the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, those for the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a side that has won it all.
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It needed as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It's challenging for their batsmen to maintain a record if not provided the possibility.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to deliver her newest gem.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her debut and seven international trophies have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the run of success.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fall short again.
If this latest epic knock topped that previous effort is debatable.
Certain people claim the argument supporting final game tension. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was much more difficult to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this innings followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it's been a frustrating experience because it appeared I've had no rhythm at all," commented Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts activate and you completely engage with the match."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was in motion.
"The possibility to take the field and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
Once she was dismissed Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if we do, we believe we can do it."
That comment will be the final thing rival teams at this World Cup want to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this triumph coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
It was in the semi-finals they exited last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wished she had played with the discomfort.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have delayed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as leader.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.