The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

It's a challenge for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, targeted by the record chasers, are the only things left for a side that has achieved everything.

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It needed until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.

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

Finally, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to produce her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.

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

The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the winning streak.

That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fall short again.

If this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display is debatable.

Certain people claim the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this knock followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm at all," said Healy.

"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive instincts activate and you just lock into the match."

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.

One run resulted off the opening delivery and from there Healy was on her way.

"A chance 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," stated Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.

Once she was removed the team needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the assurance to do that now," stated Healy further.

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

These statements will be the final thing rival teams at this tournament need to hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this triumph succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one point.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.

It was at that stage they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she later said she regretted not playing despite the injury.

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have postponed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as skipper.

Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.