The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The greatest achievements 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 undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a side that has accomplished all there is.
- Healy's Hundred Assists Australia to Record Chase
- Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
- Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers
The fact it required until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowlers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It's challenging for their batters to maintain a record if never given the possibility.
Finally, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a platform to produce her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex 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 seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her bow and seven global championships have followed from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fall short again.
Whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Certain people claim the case for 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 definite is this century was much more difficult to see coming.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this knock came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've observed me in the nets, it's been a challenging time because it appeared I've had no rhythm at all," said Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit take over and you just lock into the match."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and after that the batsman was underway.
"An opportunity to take the field and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
Once she was removed Australia needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the confidence to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if we do, we believe we can achieve it."
Those words will be the last competing nations at this championship want to hear.
During the last week a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this success coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.