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

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

The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.

This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a squad that has achieved everything.

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That it took until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their batters to maintain a record if not afforded the opportunity.

Finally, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to create her newest gem.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

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

The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not come up short.

The question of whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort can be debated.

Certain people claim the case for final game tension. Others can counter with the test that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

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

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this performance 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 practice sessions, it was a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm at all," stated Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts take over and you simply focus on the contest."

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

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

"An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.

Once she was removed the team required another 66 at run per delivery - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the confidence to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if we do, we are confident we can succeed."

These statements will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup want to hear.

In recent days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this victory following success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against 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 left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wished she had played despite the injury.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this tournament is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as skipper.

Victory in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.