Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.
The top summits have been successfully scaled.
We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a side that has accomplished all there is.
- Healy's Hundred Assists Australia to Record Chase
- Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
- Women's World Cup Table, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers
It needed until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over five decades.
It's difficult for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the chance.
Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting a chance to create her newest gem.
Then best known as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her debut and seven world titles have resulted from 10 tries across formats.
The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the successful run.
That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fall short again.
Whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the case for the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's clear is this hundred was much more difficult to anticipate.
The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this innings was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.
"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it has been a disappointing period because it appeared I lacked timing completely," commented Healy.
"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive nature activate and you completely engage with the contest."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.
A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from there Healy was on her way.
"An opportunity to play and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun that way, sort of got me going," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.
By the time she was out Australia required another 66 at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," added Healy.
"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, should it happen, we are confident we can achieve it."
That comment will be the last Australia's opponents at this World Cup need to hear.
During the last week a sense they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this triumph coming after win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one stage.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.
It was at that stage they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated despite the injury.
Yet even as she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.