The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

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

The alternative records, targeted by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a side that has won it all.

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The fact it required until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It is hard for their hitters to hold a record if not afforded the opportunity.

Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to create her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 championship victory happened three months after her debut and seven world titles have come from 10 efforts across formats.

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

That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 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 newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Some will argue the case for championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

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

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this knock 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 observed me in training, it's been a disappointing period because I feel like I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive instincts take over and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has always been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.

A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was on her way.

"The possibility to go out there and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself that way, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.

When she was removed her side required another 66 at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," added Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if necessary, we know we can do it."

That comment will be the last rival teams at this championship want to hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this victory coming after win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.

During that phase they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a major tournament.

Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wished she had played with the discomfort.

But while she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is likely to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as leader.

Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.