The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, those for the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a team that has won it all.
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The fact it required up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.
It's difficult for their batsmen to maintain a record if not provided the possibility.
Finally, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting a platform to create her newest gem.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled 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 tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "motivated 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 final and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort is debatable.
Some will argue the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What is certain is this hundred was much more difficult to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this knock followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it's been a disappointing period because it appeared I've had no rhythm at all," stated Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's competitive nature has always been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and after that the batsman was underway.
"The possibility to play and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun that way, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
When she was removed the team needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the confidence to accomplish that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if necessary, we believe we can achieve it."
That comment will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup should hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this triumph coming after victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain.
However although she later admitted those physical issues have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as captain.
Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.