Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.

It's tough for Australia to set fresh records.

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad that has accomplished all there is.

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It needed up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.

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

Finally, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her debut and seven global championships have resulted from 10 tries across formats.

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

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

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

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Some will argue the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's clear is this century was far harder to anticipate.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it was a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm whatsoever," said Healy.

"However when you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit kick in and you just lock into the competition."

Healy's competitiveness has always been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the right-hander was underway.

"A chance to go out there and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

Once she was dismissed the team required another 66 at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the confidence to do that now," added Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we believe we can achieve it."

These statements will be the last competing nations at this championship need to hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this success succeeding success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they exited the prior 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 guided Australia for the initial instance at a major tournament.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wished she had played despite the injury.

Yet even as she later admitted those physical issues have delayed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as leader.

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