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

It's difficult for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.

The top summits have long been mastered.

This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days undefeated 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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The fact it required as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It is hard for their hitters to possess a record if never given the opportunity.

Finally, the result of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to produce her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.

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

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the successful run.

That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.

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

The question of whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.

Some will argue the case for championship match pressure. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this knock followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it has been a disappointing period because it seemed my form was missing at all," stated Healy.

"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you simply focus on the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has always been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from there Healy was in motion.

"The possibility to take the field and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.

Once she was removed Australia needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.

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

"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we believe we can achieve it."

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

Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this triumph following win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

It was at that stage they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she later said she regretted not playing despite the injury.

However although she later admitted those injuries have postponed plans to retire, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as captain.

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