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

It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, targeted by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a squad that has accomplished all there is.

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That it took up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

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

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have come from 10 tries across formats.

The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.

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 ensured her country would not come up short.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What is certain is this hundred was far harder to anticipate.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this performance was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in practice sessions, it's been a frustrating experience because it appeared I lacked timing completely," stated Healy.

"However when you take the field, your competitive nature kick in and you simply focus on the competition."

Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from there the right-hander was on her way.

"The possibility to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.

By the time she was dismissed the team needed 66 more at one run per ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the assurance to accomplish that now," added Healy.

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

That comment will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup need to hear.

During the last week a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this victory following victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

It was in the semi-finals they left last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

So great is her will, she later said she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have postponed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as leader.

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