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

It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, those for the record chasers, are all that remain for a squad that has accomplished all there is.

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It needed up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the last half-century.

It's difficult for their hitters to hold a record if never given the opportunity.

In the end, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to create her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have come 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 successful run.

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

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fall short again.

If this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Many contend the argument supporting championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What is certain is this century was far harder to predict.

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

"For those following me in training, it was a challenging time because it seemed my form was missing whatsoever," said Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your competitive nature activate and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.

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

"An opportunity 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 deliveries - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

When she was removed her side required another 66 at run per delivery - 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," stated Healy further.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we are confident we can succeed."

That comment will be the final thing rival teams at this championship want to hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this triumph coming after success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at an important competition.

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

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as skipper.

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