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

It's tough for Australia to break new ground.

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, those for the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a side that has won it all.

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The fact it required up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.

It is hard for their hitters to hold a record if not provided the chance.

Finally, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the teenage relative of celebrated previous 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 witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her debut and seven global championships have come from 10 efforts across formats.

The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.

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

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

Many contend the reasoning behind final game tension. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's clear is this ton was considerably tougher to predict.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, 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 the nets, it has been a disappointing period because I feel like I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive nature take over and you just lock into the match."

Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that the batsman was in motion.

"An opportunity to play and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun that way, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.

By the time she was removed her side needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the belief to accomplish that now," added Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if we do, we believe we can achieve it."

These statements will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup need to hear.

During the last week a belief they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this triumph coming after win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

It was at that stage they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she later said she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have delayed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is anticipated as her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as skipper.

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