The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for Australia to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the record chasers, are the only things left for a team that has won it all.
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The fact it required until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their batsmen to hold a record if never given the possibility.
Ultimately, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to create her most recent brilliance.
Originally famous as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her debut and seven world titles have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
At the next 50-over World Cup 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 surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the case for final game tension. Others can counter with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What is certain is this century was much more difficult to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this innings came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it was a disappointing period because it seemed my form was missing completely," commented Healy.
"But once you step out on the field, your fighting spirit activate and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her great strength - and a priceless quality in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's spark.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was on her way.
"A chance to go out there and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
By the time she was dismissed her side needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the assurance to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if necessary, we believe we can succeed."
Those words will be the last competing nations at this World Cup want to hear.
In recent days a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this success following success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
It was in the semi-finals they left last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback 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 later said she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this championship is expected to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as captain.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.