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

It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.

The top summits have already been conquered.

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

The remaining milestones, targeted by the record chasers, are all that remain for a squad that has accomplished all there is.

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That it took until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It's challenging for their hitters to hold a record if not afforded the possibility.

In the end, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a chance to deliver her newest gem.

Originally famous as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her debut and seven world titles have followed from 10 tries across formats.

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the run of success.

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

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.

If this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display can be debated.

Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. 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 ton was far harder to anticipate.

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

"If you've observed me in the nets, it has been a challenging time because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," stated Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit kick in and you simply focus on the contest."

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

She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.

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

"A chance to play and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

By the time she was dismissed the team needed 66 more at one run per ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to achieve that now," added Healy.

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

That comment will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this tournament should hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this success succeeding win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.

It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss 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 significant event.

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

However although she later admitted those physical issues have postponed plans to retire, this tournament is likely to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a global event as captain.

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