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

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

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the record chasers, are all that remain for a squad that has won it all.

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It needed until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.

It's challenging for their batters to possess a record if not afforded the chance.

In the end, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a platform to deliver her newest gem.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her debut and seven international trophies have come from 10 attempts across formats.

The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.

That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not come up short.

Whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display can be debated.

Certain people claim the argument supporting final game tension. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

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

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this performance followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've observed me in the nets, it was a disappointing period because I feel like I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit kick in and you completely engage with the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and a priceless quality in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.

One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was in motion.

"An opportunity to go out there and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

By the time she was dismissed the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the confidence to achieve that now," continued Healy.

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

Those words will be the last competing nations at this championship need to hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this triumph following success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.

It was in the semi-finals they left the prior 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 led her country for the first time at a significant event.

So strong is her resolve, she later said she regretted not playing through the pain.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this tournament is expected to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as skipper.

Success in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.