Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

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

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and once went over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are all that remain for a side that has achieved everything.

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That it took up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the last half-century.

It is hard for their batters to possess a record if never given the opportunity.

In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to create her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 World Cup win came three months after her debut and seven international trophies have followed from 10 efforts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

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

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort is debatable.

Certain people claim the case for the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's clear is this century was much more difficult to predict.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in training, it's been a challenging time because it appeared I've had no rhythm whatsoever," said Healy.

"Yet the moment you take the field, your fighting spirit take over and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from that point Healy was in motion.

"An opportunity to take the field and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

By the time she was removed the team needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.

"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.

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

These statements will be the last Australia's opponents at this World Cup should hear.

In recent days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this success succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.

During that phase they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a major tournament.

Such is her determination, she later said she wanted to have participated through the pain.

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have postponed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as leader.

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