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

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

The top summits have already been conquered.

We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for the peak baggers, are all that remain for a team that has achieved everything.

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That it took as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.

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

Ultimately, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her newest gem.

Initially recognized as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have followed from 10 efforts across formats.

The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the run of success.

That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.

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

Whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

Some will argue the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's definite is this hundred was far harder to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this innings came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it was a disappointing period because it appeared I lacked timing completely," said Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts take over and you just lock into the match."

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

She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last 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 Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was in motion.

"A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

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

"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the assurance to achieve that now," added Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we know we can succeed."

These statements will be the final thing rival teams at this championship want to hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this triumph coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at an important competition.

So great is her will, she later said she wished she had played through the pain.

However although she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have postponed plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as leader.

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