Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.

It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.

The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a side that has achieved everything.

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The fact it required as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the pitchers that have represented Australia over five decades.

It's challenging for their hitters to hold a record if not afforded the opportunity.

Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a platform to create her newest gem.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 World Cup win came three months after her debut and seven global championships have followed from 10 efforts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.

If this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.

Many contend the argument supporting championship match pressure. Some might respond with the test that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's definite is this hundred was much more difficult to predict.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this innings came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it's been a disappointing period because I feel like I've had no rhythm whatsoever," stated Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive nature take over and you just lock into the competition."

Healy's fighting spirit has always been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

A single came off the bowler's initial ball and after that the right-hander was in motion.

"The possibility to take the field and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun that way, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.

When she was removed the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the belief to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.

"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if necessary, we know we can succeed."

That comment will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this tournament should hear.

In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this success succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

During that phase they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this tournament is expected to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as skipper.

Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.