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

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

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for the peak baggers, are the only things left for a squad that has won it all.

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It needed as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.

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

Finally, the result of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy being given a platform to deliver her newest gem.

Then best known as the young family member 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 from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her bow and seven international trophies have come from 10 efforts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper 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 reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.

At the following one-day championship 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 fall short again.

If this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.

Many contend the reasoning behind final game tension. Others can counter with the challenge 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 topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.

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

"But once you step out on the field, your competitive instincts activate and you completely engage with the contest."

Healy's competitiveness has always been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic 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 every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.

A single came off the opening delivery and from that point Healy was in motion.

"An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

By the time she was removed Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the confidence to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if necessary, we know we can succeed."

Those words will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup need to hear.

During the last week a sense they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this success succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.

During that phase they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain.

But while she later admitted 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 yet to win a world championship as captain.

Success in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.