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

It's tough for Australia to set fresh records.

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the record chasers, are all that remain for a team that has won it all.

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The fact it required until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the pitchers 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 allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting a platform to produce her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her bow and seven world titles have come from 10 tries across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the successful run.

That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.

If this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display is debatable.

Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's clear is this hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this innings was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it has been a challenging time because it appeared I lacked timing completely," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive nature activate and you just lock into the competition."

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from that point Healy was underway.

"An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

Once she was out her side needed 66 more at run per delivery - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the assurance to do that now," stated Healy further.

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

These statements will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this World Cup should hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will win from any position has grown stronger - this victory coming after win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors 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 the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing through the pain.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have postponed plans to retire, this championship is expected to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as captain.

Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.