Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad that has won it all.
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That it took until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It is hard for their hitters to possess a record if not afforded the opportunity.
In the end, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to deliver her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her bow and seven world titles have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the run of success.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
Whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort is debatable.
Many contend the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What is certain is this ton was far harder to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in training, it's been a disappointing period because I feel like I've had no rhythm whatsoever," stated Healy.
"But once you step out on the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was in motion.
"An opportunity to play and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun that way, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
Once she was out Australia required another 66 at one run per ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the confidence to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, should it happen, we know we can do it."
These statements will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this tournament want to hear.
During the last week a feeling they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this triumph following win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents 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 a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated through the pain.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have postponed plans to retire, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as leader.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.