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

It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a team that has won it all.

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The fact it required until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the highest in the female 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 possess a record if never given the possibility.

Ultimately, the result of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy getting a chance to produce her newest gem.

Originally famous as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have come from 10 efforts across formats.

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the successful run.

That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fail again.

Whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display is debatable.

Many contend the argument supporting 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 century was far harder to see coming.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this knock followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've observed me in training, it was a challenging time because I feel like I lacked timing whatsoever," commented Healy.

"However when you take the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you simply focus on the competition."

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from there the batsman was underway.

"The possibility to take the field and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.

When she was out Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the assurance to accomplish that now," added Healy.

"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if we do, we are confident we can succeed."

That comment will be the final thing competing nations at this tournament want to hear.

During the last week a feeling they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this triumph succeeding success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing despite the injury.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this championship is likely to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as skipper.

Victory in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.