Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

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

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the record chasers, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is.

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That it took until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

It's difficult for their hitters to hold a record if not provided the chance.

Finally, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her bow and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.

The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the run of success.

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

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.

The question of whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort is debatable.

Many contend the reasoning behind final game tension. Some might respond 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 predict.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"For those following me in training, it was a disappointing period because it appeared I lacked timing completely," said Healy.

"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts take over and you completely engage with the contest."

Healy's competitiveness has always been her great strength - and a priceless quality in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

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

"The possibility to play and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

By the time she was removed Australia needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the assurance to do that now," stated Healy further.

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

These statements will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this tournament want to hear.

During the last week a sense they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this triumph following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated through the pain.

But while she later admitted those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this championship is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as leader.

Success in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.