Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

It's a challenge for the Australian squad to break new ground.

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a team that has accomplished all there is.

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The fact it required until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It is hard for their batsmen to possess a record if not provided the possibility.

In the end, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her newest gem.

Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have followed from 10 efforts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the run of success.

That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.

The question of whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display can be debated.

Certain people claim the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's clear is this hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this knock followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've observed me in the nets, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared I lacked timing whatsoever," said Healy.

"However when you take the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her key asset - and a priceless quality in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that Healy was underway.

"An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

By the time she was removed Australia required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if we do, we are confident we can do it."

These statements will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this championship should hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this triumph following win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.

It was in the semi-finals they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

But while she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this championship is likely to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as captain.

Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.