Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.

It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

This is the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, targeted by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a squad that has accomplished all there is.

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The fact it required until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over five decades.

It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if never given the chance.

Ultimately, the result of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy being given a platform to produce her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 championship victory happened three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.

The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.

That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.

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

Whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Certain people claim the argument supporting 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's clear is this ton was considerably tougher to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've observed me in training, it was a challenging time because it appeared I lacked timing completely," stated Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive nature take over and you completely engage with the competition."

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

A single came off the bowler's initial ball and after that Healy was in motion.

"A chance to take the field and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.

When she was out her side required another 66 at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm happy we have the confidence to accomplish that now," added Healy.

"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, should it happen, we are confident we can do it."

These statements will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this World Cup want to hear.

In recent days a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.

During that phase they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wished she had played through the pain.

However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have postponed plans to retire, this tournament is likely to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as skipper.

Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.