The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and once went over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, those for the record chasers, are all that remain for a side that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the pitchers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It's difficult for their batsmen to possess a record if not provided the possibility.
Ultimately, the result of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy getting a chance to create her most recent brilliance.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her bow and seven global championships have come from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the argument supporting championship match pressure. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase 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 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this innings was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in training, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared I've had no rhythm whatsoever," said Healy.
"However when you take the field, your fighting spirit activate and you just lock into the match."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her great strength - and a priceless quality in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.
One run resulted off the opening delivery and from there Healy was in motion.
"An opportunity to play and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
Once she was out her side needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the confidence to achieve that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we know we can succeed."
These statements will be the final thing competing nations at this championship should hear.
In recent days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this success coming after win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she later said she wished she had played with the discomfort.
But while she afterwards confessed those physical issues have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper.
Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.