Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's difficult for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are the only things left for a side that has won it all.
- Healy's Ton Helps Australia to Record Chase
- Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
- Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers
That it took up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the female 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 hold a record if never given the opportunity.
Finally, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to create her most recent brilliance.
Initially recognized as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory came three months after her bow and seven world titles have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not come up short.
If this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Many contend the argument supporting championship match pressure. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What is certain is this hundred was much more difficult to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this performance was preceded by six games 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 has been a challenging time because it appeared my form was missing completely," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive nature kick in and you completely engage with the match."
Healy's competitive nature has always been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.
A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from there the batsman was in motion.
"An opportunity to go out there and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.
When she was removed her side needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the confidence to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we are confident we can succeed."
That comment will be the last rival teams at this tournament need to hear.
During the last week a feeling they will win from any position has grown stronger - this victory succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she wished she had played with the discomfort.
However although she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have delayed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is expected to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as captain.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.