Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's a challenge for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The top summits have long been mastered.
We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The remaining milestones, targeted by the record chasers, are all that remain for a team that has accomplished all there is.
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It needed until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.
It is hard for their hitters to hold a record if not afforded the possibility.
In the end, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to produce her newest gem.
Originally famous as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.
A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her bow and seven international trophies have come from 10 tries across formats.
The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the successful run.
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 championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort is debatable.
Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What is certain is this hundred was much more difficult to anticipate.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.
"For those following me in the nets, it was a disappointing period because I feel like my form was missing completely," said Healy.
"But once you take the field, your competitive nature activate and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in succeeding iconic ex-skipper 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 on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.
A single came off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was in motion.
"The possibility to play and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun that way, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.
When she was removed the team required another 66 at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the confidence to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if necessary, we are confident we can achieve it."
These statements will be the final thing competing nations at this championship need to hear.
In recent days a sense they will win from any position has grown stronger - this victory following win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.
It was at that stage they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at an important competition.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing despite the injury.
However although she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have postponed plans to retire, this tournament is likely to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader.
Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.
