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

It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.

The top summits have already been conquered.

This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, targeted by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a squad that has won it all.

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The fact it required until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

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

Finally, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to create her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.

A T20 championship victory happened three months after her debut and seven world titles have followed 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 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 named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not come up short.

The question of whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

Some will argue the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What is certain is this century was considerably tougher to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've observed me in training, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm at all," said Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the right-hander was underway.

"A chance to take the field and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

By the time she was dismissed her side needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the confidence to accomplish that now," added Healy.

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

Those words will be the last competing nations at this World Cup need to hear.

In recent days a feeling they will win from any position has only strengthened - this success following win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.

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 damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wished she had played through the pain.

But while she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this tournament is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper.

Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.