The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, those for the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their hitters to hold a record if never given the possibility.
Finally, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy being given a chance to deliver her newest gem.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fail again.
If this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.
Many contend the case for final game tension. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was considerably tougher to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this performance 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 was a disappointing period because it appeared I lacked timing at all," said Healy.
"But once you take the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you simply focus on the contest."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that Healy was underway.
"The possibility to play and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
By the time she was dismissed her side needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the confidence to accomplish that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if we do, we are confident we can succeed."
These statements will be the last Australia's opponents at this championship want to hear.
In recent days a feeling they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they exited last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she later said she wished she had played through the pain.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have postponed plans to retire, this championship is anticipated as her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader.
Success in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.