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

It's difficult for the Australian squad to set fresh records.

The top summits have already been conquered.

We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a team that has achieved everything.

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That it took as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It is hard for their batters to hold a record if not afforded the opportunity.

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to create her most recent brilliance.

Initially recognized as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her debut and seven global championships have resulted from 10 tries across formats.

The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the successful run.

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

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fall short again.

Whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display can be debated.

Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What is certain is this ton was much more difficult to see coming.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in the nets, it's been a disappointing period because I feel like I lacked timing at all," commented Healy.

"However when you take the field, your competitive instincts take over and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.

A single came off the opening delivery and after that the batsman was on her way.

"The possibility to take the field and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

Once she was removed Australia required another 66 at one run per ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we believe we can succeed."

Those words will be the final thing rival teams at this tournament want to hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this triumph coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals 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 game Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a major tournament.

So great is her will, she later said she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

But while she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as skipper.

Victory in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.