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

It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are all that remain for a side that has achieved everything.

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The fact it required as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It is hard for their batters to maintain a record if not afforded the chance.

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her debut and seven global championships have followed from 10 tries across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," 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 awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fall short again.

Whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What is certain is this century was considerably tougher to see coming.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this knock came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"For those following me in practice sessions, it has been a disappointing period because it appeared my form was missing at all," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive nature take over and you completely engage with the match."

Healy's competitive nature has always been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.

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

"A chance to go out there and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

By the time she was out Australia needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the belief to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.

"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, should it happen, we know we can succeed."

That comment will be the final thing rival teams at this World Cup want to hear.

During the last week a belief they will win from any position has grown stronger - this success succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with 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 the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she later said she wanted to have participated through the pain.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have delayed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as leader.

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