Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The top summits have long been mastered.
We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a side that has won it all.
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The fact it required up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over five decades.
It's difficult for their hitters to maintain a record if never given the opportunity.
Ultimately, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
Whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Many contend the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was much more difficult to see coming.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance 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 observed me in practice sessions, it's been a challenging time because it seemed I've had no rhythm completely," stated Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts activate and you just lock into the contest."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
A single came off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was on her way.
"The possibility to take the field and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
Once she was out the team required another 66 at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the assurance to achieve that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we are confident we can achieve it."
These statements will be the last rival teams at this World Cup should hear.
During the last week a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this triumph coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
It was at that stage they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing through the pain.
Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have postponed consideration of ending her career, this championship is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as skipper.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.