The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

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

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a squad 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 complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowlers that have represented Australia over five decades.

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

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to create her most recent brilliance.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her debut and seven world titles have followed from 10 efforts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the run of success.

That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not come up short.

If this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.

Some will argue the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's definite is this ton was much more difficult to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in training, it was a challenging time because I feel like my form was missing completely," stated Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit kick in and you completely engage with the match."

Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from that point Healy was in motion.

"The possibility to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, sort of got me going," stated Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.

When she was removed her side needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the assurance to accomplish that now," added Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we believe we can succeed."

Those words will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this tournament want to hear.

In recent days a feeling they will win from any position has become more firm - this success succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they left last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wished she had played despite the injury.

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have postponed consideration of ending her career, this championship is likely to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as leader.

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