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

It's tough for Australia to set fresh records.

The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the record chasers, are what's still available for a side that has won it all.

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That it took until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It is hard for their hitters to possess a record if never given the possibility.

Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given a platform to produce her most recent brilliance.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her debut and seven global championships have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.

The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.

That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.

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

If this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What is certain is this hundred was considerably tougher to see coming.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've been watching me in the nets, it was a frustrating experience because I feel like I've had no rhythm at all," commented Healy.

"However when you step out on the field, your competitive instincts activate and you simply focus on the match."

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her great strength - and a priceless quality in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.

A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the right-hander was underway.

"The possibility to take the field and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.

When she was removed Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the assurance to do that now," stated Healy further.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if necessary, we believe we can succeed."

That comment will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this championship should hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will win from any position has grown stronger - this triumph following success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one point.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.

During that phase they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a significant event.

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

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have delayed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is likely to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as skipper.

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