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

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

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, those for the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a team that has accomplished all there is.

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The fact it required until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowlers that have represented Australia over five decades.

It is hard for their batsmen to maintain a record if never given the possibility.

Finally, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to create her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her debut and seven world titles have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the winning streak.

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

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fail again.

Whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What is certain is this century was much more difficult to see coming.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this performance followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in the nets, it has been a challenging time because I feel like I've had no rhythm at all," stated Healy.

"However when you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit take over and you completely engage with the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has always been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.

A single came off the opening delivery and after that the right-hander was in motion.

"An opportunity to go out there and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

Once she was out the team needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the confidence to do that now," stated Healy further.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if we do, we are confident we can achieve it."

Those words will be the last competing nations at this championship should hear.

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

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

It was at that stage they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she later said she wished she had played with the discomfort.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this tournament is expected to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as captain.

Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.