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

It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

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

The alternative records, targeted by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad that has won it all.

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That it took as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It's challenging for their hitters to maintain a record if not provided the possibility.

Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

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

The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.

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

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.

The question of whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort can be debated.

Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's clear is this ton was considerably tougher to anticipate.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this performance followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous 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 at all," commented Healy.

"But once you take the field, your fighting spirit activate and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.

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

"A chance to play and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

By the time she was out the team required another 66 at run per delivery - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the assurance to do that now," stated Healy further.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if we do, we are confident we can succeed."

These statements will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this championship should hear.

In recent days a feeling they will win from any position has become more firm - this triumph coming after victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

It was in the semi-finals they left last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

Such is her determination, she later said she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have postponed thoughts of retirement, this championship is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as captain.

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