Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

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

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a squad that has accomplished all there is.

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That it took until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.

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

In the end, the result of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to create her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.

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

The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the run of success.

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

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not come up short.

If this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort is debatable.

Certain people claim the case for the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What is certain is this century was much more difficult to anticipate.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this performance was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it's been a frustrating experience because it appeared I've had no rhythm at all," said Healy.

"Yet the moment you take the field, your fighting spirit activate and you completely engage with the match."

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her key asset - 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, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and after that the batsman was in motion.

"An opportunity to go out there and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun that way, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.

By the time she was dismissed the team required another 66 at one run per ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the belief to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.

"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, should it happen, we believe we can do it."

Those words will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this championship want to hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this victory coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.

It was at that stage they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a major tournament.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing with the discomfort.

But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this tournament is expected to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as leader.

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