Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.
It's difficult for the Australian squad to break new ground.
The highest peaks have long been mastered.
This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.
The secondary achievements, targeted by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a squad that has won it all.
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It needed as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowlers that have represented Australia over five decades.
It's difficult for their batsmen to hold a record if not provided the chance.
Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to produce her newest gem.
Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.
A T20 championship victory happened three months after her bow and seven world titles have come from 10 efforts across formats.
The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the successful run.
That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.
At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not come up short.
Whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.
Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.
What's definite is this ton was much more difficult to see coming.
The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.
"If you've been watching me in training, it was a challenging time because it appeared my form was missing at all," said Healy.
"However when you take the field, your competitive instincts take over and you completely engage with the competition."
Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her key asset - and a priceless quality in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.
She was tormented 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 came off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was underway.
"The possibility to go out there and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, sort of got me going," said Healy.
She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.
By the time she was removed the team needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.
"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to achieve that now," added Healy.
"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if we do, we are confident we can succeed."
That comment will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this tournament need to hear.
Over the past five days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this triumph succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.
Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.
It was in the semi-finals they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a major tournament.
So great is her will, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing through the pain.
But while she later admitted those physical issues have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a global event as leader.
Success in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.