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

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

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a team that has achieved everything.

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The fact it required up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the last half-century.

It is hard for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the opportunity.

Finally, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to deliver her newest gem.

Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 World Cup win came three months after her debut and seven world titles have come from 10 attempts across formats.

The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.

That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fail again.

If this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.

Many contend the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's clear is this ton was far harder to anticipate.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this performance followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in training, it has been a frustrating experience because I feel like my form was missing whatsoever," said Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts activate and you simply focus on the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has always been her key asset - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.

A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and after that Healy was in motion.

"The possibility to go out there and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

Once she was removed Australia needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.

"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the assurance to accomplish that now," continued Healy.

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

These statements will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this championship need to hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this success following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.

During that phase they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wished she had played with the discomfort.

Yet even as she later admitted those physical issues have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as leader.

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