The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's tough for Australia to break new ground.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, targeted by the record chasers, are all that remain for a team that has won it all.
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The fact it required as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It's challenging for their hitters to hold a record if never given the possibility.
Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to create her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her bow and seven world titles have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.
That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.
The question of whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort can be debated.
Certain people claim the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was much more difficult to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this innings came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've observed me in training, it has been a frustrating experience because I feel like I lacked timing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive nature kick in and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and from there the right-hander was in motion.
"The possibility to play and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.
By the time she was out the team needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the assurance to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if we do, we know we can succeed."
That comment will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this World Cup want to hear.
Over the past five days a belief they will win from any position has grown stronger - this triumph coming after win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they left last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she later said she wished she had played with the discomfort.
However although she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.