The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.
The highest peaks have already been conquered.
We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a team that has achieved everything.
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The fact it required up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the pitchers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It is hard for their batsmen to maintain a record if never given the opportunity.
Finally, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece.
Initially recognized as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.
A T20 championship victory came three months after her bow and seven global championships have resulted from 10 tries across formats.
The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.
The question of whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort can be debated.
Certain people claim the case for final game tension. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.
What's definite is this century was considerably tougher to predict.
The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this knock came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.
"If you've been watching me in training, it has been a disappointing period because it appeared I lacked timing completely," commented Healy.
"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive nature kick in and you completely engage with the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.
One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and after that the right-hander was underway.
"An opportunity to go out there and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She reached fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.
Once she was dismissed the team required another 66 at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the belief to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we believe we can succeed."
That comment will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup should hear.
In recent days a sense they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this victory following success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.
Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.
It was at that stage they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at an important competition.
So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing with the discomfort.
Yet even as she later admitted those physical issues have postponed plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as skipper.
Success in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.