The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The greatest achievements have long been mastered.
We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, those for the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a squad that has achieved everything.
- Healy's Ton Aids Australia to Record Chase
- ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
- Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers
The fact it required as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.
It's challenging for their batsmen to possess a record if never given the opportunity.
Finally, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting a chance to create her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her debut and seven global championships have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.
That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.
At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Others can counter 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 considerably tougher to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this innings was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"For those following me in training, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive nature take over and you simply focus on the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
A single was taken off the opening delivery and from there the batsman was underway.
"An opportunity to go out there and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.
By the time she was dismissed her side needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the belief to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if necessary, we are confident we can succeed."
That comment will be the final thing rival teams at this World Cup want to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory following win against 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 ten days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
It was in the semi-finals they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wished she had played with the discomfort.
But while she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as captain.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.