Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a squad that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It's difficult for their batters to maintain a record if not provided the possibility.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given a chance to produce her newest gem.
Initially recognized as the young family member of celebrated previous 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.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her bow and seven global championships have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fall short again.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the case for championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was considerably tougher to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this innings followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in practice sessions, it has been a challenging time because I feel like my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive nature kick in and you completely engage with the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her key asset - and a priceless quality in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from there the right-hander was on her way.
"A chance to play and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, sort of got me going," commented Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
By the time she was dismissed Australia needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the confidence to accomplish that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we know we can do it."
Those words will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this World Cup want to hear.
In recent days a belief they will win from any position has grown stronger - this success following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
It was in the semi-finals they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wished she had played with the discomfort.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have postponed thoughts of retirement, this championship is anticipated as her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as captain.
Victory in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.