The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.

It's tough for the Australian squad to set fresh records.

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for the peak baggers, are the only things left for a side that has achieved everything.

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The fact it required up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowlers that have represented Australia over five decades.

It's difficult for their hitters to maintain a record if never given the opportunity.

Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her debut and seven world titles have come from 10 tries across formats.

The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the successful run.

That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fail again.

Whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display is debatable.

Some will argue the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the test that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's definite is this century was much more difficult to anticipate.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this performance came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"For those following me in practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm whatsoever," stated Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit activate and you simply focus on the competition."

Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

One run resulted off the opening delivery and after that the batsman was underway.

"An opportunity to play and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

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

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

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

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if necessary, we believe we can succeed."

Those words will be the last rival teams at this championship should hear.

In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this success following win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one point.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.

It was at that stage they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have delayed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as skipper.

Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.