Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
This is the team 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 achievement hunters, are what's still available for a side that has won it all.
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It needed as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It is hard for their batsmen to possess a record if not afforded the opportunity.
Finally, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to produce her newest gem.
Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
Whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind final game tension. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was far harder to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"For those following me in training, it's been a challenging time because it seemed I've had no rhythm at all," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit kick in and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
A single came off the opening delivery and from that point Healy was in motion.
"A chance to go out there and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, kind of motivated me," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
When she was removed the team required another 66 at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the assurance to do that now," added Healy.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, should it happen, we believe we can achieve it."
Those words will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup should hear.
In recent days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she later said she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have postponed plans to retire, this championship is likely to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as captain.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.
