Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.
The top summits have already been conquered.
We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the record chasers, are the only things left for a side that has achieved everything.
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The fact it required up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their batsmen to maintain a record if not afforded the chance.
In the end, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece.
Originally famous as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut 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 World Cup win came three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have followed from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
Whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort can be debated.
Many contend the argument supporting championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was far harder to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this performance followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it's been a challenging time because it seemed my form was missing at all," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and from that point the right-hander was on her way.
"An opportunity to go out there and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
By the time she was out Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if necessary, we are confident we can do it."
These statements will be the final thing rival teams at this championship should hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will win from any position has grown stronger - this victory following success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
It was at that stage they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a major tournament.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing despite the injury.
Yet even as she later admitted those physical issues have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as leader.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.