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

It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The top summits have long been mastered.

We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and once went over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, those for the record chasers, are the only things left for a squad that has won it all.

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It needed as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their hitters to maintain a record if never given the possibility.

Finally, the result of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy being given a chance to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

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

The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the successful run.

That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the case for final game tension. Different voices suggest 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 anticipate.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this innings was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"For those following me in practice sessions, it was a challenging time because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.

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

Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from that point Healy was underway.

"A chance to play and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.

When she was dismissed the team needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.

"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if necessary, we know we can do it."

Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup should hear.

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

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.

It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wished she had played with the discomfort.

Yet even as she later admitted those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as leader.

Success in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.