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

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

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, those for the record chasers, are all that remain for a side that has accomplished all there is.

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The fact it required up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over five decades.

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

In the end, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a platform to deliver her newest gem.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 championship victory happened three months after her debut and seven global championships have followed from 10 efforts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.

That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," 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 awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.

If this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display is debatable.

Some will argue the argument supporting final game tension. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's clear is this hundred was much more difficult to see coming.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"For those following me in training, it has been a disappointing period because I feel like my form was missing at all," stated Healy.

"But once you take the field, your competitive instincts take over and you simply focus on the contest."

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was in motion.

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

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.

By the time she was out the team required another 66 at one run per ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the belief to do that now," stated Healy further.

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

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

In recent days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this triumph succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.

It was in the semi-finals they left last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a significant event.

So strong is her resolve, she later said she wished she had played despite the injury.

But while she later admitted those physical issues have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this championship is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as captain.

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