The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

It's tough for Australia to set fresh records.

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, those for the peak baggers, are the only things left for a team that has achieved everything.

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The fact it required as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It's difficult for their batters to hold a record if never given the possibility.

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 championship victory happened three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have followed from 10 tries across formats.

The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the successful run.

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

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fail again.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.

Many contend the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's definite is this hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've been watching me in the nets, it has been a challenging time because it seemed my form was missing at all," commented Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your fighting spirit take over and you simply focus on the competition."

Healy's competitiveness has always been her great strength - and a priceless quality in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the right-hander was in motion.

"An opportunity to take the field and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself that way, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

Once she was out her side needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.

"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," continued Healy.

"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if we do, we believe we can succeed."

Those words will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this championship want to hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will win from any position has grown stronger - this success coming after win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.

It was in the semi-finals they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she later said she regretted not playing despite the injury.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have postponed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as leader.

Success in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.