The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for Australia to break new ground.
The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.
This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the peak baggers, are what's still available for a team that has won it all.
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That it took as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It's difficult for their hitters to maintain a record if not provided the chance.
In the end, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to produce her newest gem.
Originally famous as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her debut 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 temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fail again.
If this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Many contend the case for championship match pressure. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What is certain is this hundred was far harder to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this performance was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in training, it was a challenging time because it seemed my form was missing whatsoever," stated Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and after that Healy was underway.
"An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, sort of got me going," commented Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.
By the time she was out the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if we do, we believe we can succeed."
That comment will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup want to hear.
In recent days a sense they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as skipper.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.