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

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

The top summits have already been conquered.

This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a team that has accomplished all there is.

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It needed until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It is hard for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the opportunity.

In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to produce her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the young family member of celebrated previous 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.

Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her debut and seven world titles have come from 10 attempts across formats.

The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.

That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 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 newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.

Many contend the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What is certain is this hundred was considerably tougher to see coming.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this knock was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've been watching me in the nets, it was a frustrating experience because it seemed I lacked timing at all," commented Healy.

"However when you step out on the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the contest."

Healy's competitive nature has always been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and after that Healy was on her way.

"A chance to take the field and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun that way, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

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

By the time she was out her side required another 66 at one run per ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the confidence to achieve that now," continued Healy.

"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if necessary, we know we can succeed."

These statements will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this World Cup should hear.

Over the past five days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this victory coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at an important competition.

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

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as captain.

Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.