The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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The fact it required as late as 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 testament to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It's challenging for their batsmen to hold a record if not afforded the chance.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to create her newest gem.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory came three months after her bow and seven global championships have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fail again.
If this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's clear is this ton was considerably tougher to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in training, it has been a frustrating experience because it appeared I lacked timing completely," stated Healy.
"However when you take the field, your competitive nature kick in and you just lock into the match."
Healy's competitive nature has always been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was in motion.
"A chance to go out there and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun 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 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was out the team needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the assurance to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we know we can do it."
Those words will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this World Cup need to hear.
In recent days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this victory succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they were eliminated from the prior 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 guided Australia for the initial instance at a major tournament.
Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wished she had played through the pain.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have postponed plans to retire, this tournament is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a global event as captain.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.