Australia 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 team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the record chasers, are all that remain for a squad that has achieved everything.

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The fact it required up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

It's challenging for their batsmen to maintain a record if not provided the opportunity.

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her newest gem.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her bow and seven world titles have resulted from 10 tries across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the winning streak.

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

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

Whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.

Many contend the case for final game tension. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What is certain is this ton was much more difficult to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as 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 was a frustrating experience because it appeared my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.

"However when you step out on the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you simply focus on the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was underway.

"An opportunity to go out there and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.

By the time she was dismissed Australia needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.

"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the belief to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.

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

That comment will be the final thing rival teams at this tournament should hear.

Over the past five days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this triumph following victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.

It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing through the pain.

But while she later admitted those physical issues have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a global event as leader.

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