Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.
It's tough for Australia to set fresh records.
The top summits have long been mastered.
This is the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.
The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are all that remain for a squad that has achieved everything.
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The fact it required until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.
It is hard for their batsmen to possess a record if not afforded the possibility.
In the end, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a platform to deliver her most recent brilliance.
Originally famous as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.
Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.
The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.
That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.
At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fail again.
Whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.
Some will argue the case for championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.
What is certain is this ton was far harder to predict.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as 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.
"For those following me in the nets, it has been a disappointing period because it appeared my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.
"However when you take the field, your fighting spirit take over and you simply focus on the match."
Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.
She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.
A single came off the opening delivery and from that point Healy was underway.
"An opportunity to go out there and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.
She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.
When she was removed Australia required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.
"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the belief to do that now," stated Healy further.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, should it happen, we know we can do it."
These statements will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this World Cup should hear.
In recent days a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this triumph following success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.
Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.
During that phase they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at an important competition.
Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.
But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as captain.
Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.