Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.

It's tough for Australia to set fresh records.

The top summits have already been conquered.

We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, targeted by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a squad that has accomplished all there is.

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It needed as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

It's challenging for their batters to maintain a record if not afforded the possibility.

In the end, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia failed to win 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 arrived three months after her debut and seven world titles have come from 10 efforts across formats.

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

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

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fail again.

The question of whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display can be debated.

Some will argue the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What is certain is this century was much more difficult to predict.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this innings followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've observed me in training, it has been a frustrating experience because it seemed my form was missing at all," commented Healy.

"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

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

"A chance to go out there and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.

When she was dismissed Australia required another 66 at run per delivery - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the belief to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we are confident we can succeed."

These statements will be the last rival teams at this championship want to hear.

In recent days a belief they will win from any position has grown stronger - this victory succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.

During that phase they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing with the discomfort.

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as leader.

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