The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a team that has achieved everything.
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That it took up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.
It's difficult for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the opportunity.
Finally, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her debut and seven world titles have come from 10 attempts across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted 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 final and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fail again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.
Certain people claim the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What's clear is this century was much more difficult to anticipate.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in training, it's been a disappointing period because it appeared I lacked timing completely," said Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts activate and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's competitiveness has always been her great strength - and a priceless quality in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.
She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.
A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from there Healy was underway.
"The possibility to take the field and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun that way, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.
Once she was out her side required another 66 at one run per ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the assurance to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we know we can achieve it."
That comment will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this championship need to hear.
Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this triumph following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated through the pain.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader.
Victory in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.