The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

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

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for the record chasers, are all that remain for a side that has accomplished all there is.

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

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

Finally, the result of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy being given a platform to create her newest gem.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.

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

The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fail again.

Whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.

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

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

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this knock was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've been watching me in the nets, it was a frustrating experience because I feel like my form was missing completely," said Healy.

"However when you take the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the match."

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

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

A single came off the opening delivery and from there the right-hander was in motion.

"The possibility to play and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.

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

Once she was out Australia required another 66 at one run per ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the assurance to accomplish that now," continued Healy.

"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, should it happen, we are confident we can succeed."

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

During the last week a feeling they will win from any position has grown stronger - this triumph coming after success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.

It was at that stage they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a significant event.

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

However although she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have postponed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as leader.

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