Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for Australia to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the record chasers, are what's still available for a side that has won it all.
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It needed up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the pitchers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It's difficult for their hitters to maintain a record if not provided the chance.
Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory came three months after her bow and seven global championships have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there 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 hit 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not come up short.
If this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.
Some will argue the case for championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was far harder to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed I lacked timing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"However when you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit activate and you completely engage with the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and a priceless quality in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from there the batsman was underway.
"An opportunity to go out there and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
Once she was dismissed Australia needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the confidence to achieve that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if we do, we know we can succeed."
Those words will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this World Cup need to hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this victory succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
During that phase they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
But while she later admitted those fitness problems have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as captain.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.