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

It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a side that has won it all.

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That it took up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.

It's challenging for their batters to maintain a record if not afforded the chance.

Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a platform to create her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 championship victory came three months after her debut and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.

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

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not come up short.

The question of whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display can be debated.

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

What's clear is this century was far harder to predict.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in training, it has been a frustrating experience because it seemed I lacked timing whatsoever," stated Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your competitive nature take over and you simply focus on the match."

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.

One run resulted off the opening delivery and from there Healy was underway.

"A chance to play and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

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

When she was removed her side needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.

"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we believe we can do it."

Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup need to hear.

During the last week a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this success coming after success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.

It was at that stage they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a major tournament.

So great is her will, she later said she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper.

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