Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The top summits have already been conquered.
This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a team that has achieved everything.
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The fact it required as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their hitters to hold a record if not provided the opportunity.
In the end, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a platform to create 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 nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
If this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort is debatable.
Some will argue the argument supporting final game tension. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this hundred was far harder to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this innings followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in training, it's been a frustrating experience because I feel like I've had no rhythm whatsoever," said Healy.
"But once you step out on the field, your competitive nature kick in and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and after that the batsman was underway.
"The possibility to take the field and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.
When she was out Australia required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we know we can succeed."
Those words will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this championship want to hear.
In recent days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this success succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.
During that phase they left the prior 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 guided Australia for the first time at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wished she had played through the pain.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this tournament is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as captain.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.
