The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.

It's difficult for the Australian squad to break new ground.

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

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

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That it took up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It's challenging for their hitters to hold a record if not afforded the opportunity.

Ultimately, the result of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 World Cup win came three months after her bow and seven global championships have come from 10 attempts across formats.

The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the run of success.

That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.

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

If this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's definite is this hundred was far harder to anticipate.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've been watching me in training, it was a challenging time because I feel like I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.

"But once you take the field, your competitive nature take over and you just lock into the competition."

Healy's competitive nature has always been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off the opening delivery and after that the right-hander was on her way.

"A chance to play and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.

Once she was dismissed her side needed 66 more at one run per ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy.

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

That comment will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this championship should hear.

During the last week a belief they will win from any position has grown stronger - this success following success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.

It was at that stage they left last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she later said she wished she had played through the pain.

However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as captain.

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