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

It's a challenge for the Australian squad to set fresh records.

The top summits have long been mastered.

We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for the peak baggers, are all that remain for a team that has won it all.

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That it took as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.

It's challenging for their hitters to hold a record if not provided the chance.

Finally, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her bow and seven world titles have come from 10 tries across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the run of success.

That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not come up short.

Whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Many contend the case for final game tension. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've observed me in the nets, it was a challenging time because it seemed I lacked timing completely," stated Healy.

"However when you take the field, your fighting spirit take over and you completely engage with the competition."

Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her great strength - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

A single was taken off the opening delivery and from there Healy was underway.

"An opportunity to play and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

Once she was removed the team needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the assurance to achieve that now," continued Healy.

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

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

Over the past five days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this triumph coming after success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing despite the injury.

But while she later admitted those physical issues have postponed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as captain.

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