Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

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

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and once went over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a side that has won it all.

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It needed until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It is hard for their batsmen to maintain a record if not provided the chance.

Finally, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to create her newest gem.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.

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

The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the successful run.

That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.

At the following one-day championship 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 fail again.

Whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's clear is this ton was considerably tougher to see coming.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this knock was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in the nets, it was a challenging time because it seemed my form was missing whatsoever," stated Healy.

"But once you take the field, your competitive instincts activate and you just lock into the match."

Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler 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 on her way.

"An opportunity to go out there and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.

Once she was removed the team required another 66 at run per delivery - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.

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

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we know we can do it."

That comment will be the last Australia's opponents at this championship want to hear.

In recent days a feeling they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory coming after victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.

During that phase they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wished she had played through the pain.

But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as skipper.

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