The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are what's still available 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 the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.
It's challenging for their batsmen to possess a record if not provided the chance.
In the end, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to create her newest gem.
Originally famous as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win came three months after her debut and seven international trophies have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
The question of whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort can be debated.
Certain people claim the argument supporting final game tension. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What is certain is this ton was far harder to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this knock followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it was a challenging time because it appeared I've had no rhythm at all," said Healy.
"However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature activate and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that Healy was on her way.
"A chance to go out there and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.
By the time she was dismissed the team required another 66 at run per delivery - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the belief to achieve that now," continued Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we believe we can succeed."
These statements will be the final thing rival teams at this World Cup need to hear.
In recent days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this triumph coming after success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals 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 initial instance at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing through the pain.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those injuries have delayed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a global event as captain.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.
