The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

It's difficult for the Australian squad to break new ground.

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a side that has accomplished all there is.

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It needed until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

It's difficult for their hitters to hold a record if not provided the possibility.

Finally, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to create her most recent brilliance.

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

A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have followed from 10 efforts across formats.

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

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

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fall short again.

Whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.

Many contend the case for final game tension. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's clear is this hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in the nets, it's been a challenging time because it seemed I've had no rhythm completely," stated Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive nature activate and you completely engage with the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that the batsman was in motion.

"An opportunity to play and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.

Once she was dismissed her side required another 66 at run per delivery - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.

"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the confidence to do that now," stated Healy further.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if we do, we know we can do it."

Those words will be the final thing rival teams at this World Cup should hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this triumph succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

It was at that stage they left last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at an important competition.

So great is her will, she later said she regretted not playing with the discomfort.

Yet even as she later admitted those fitness problems have delayed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as leader.

Victory in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.