The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.

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

The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.

This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is.

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It needed until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It's challenging for their batsmen to maintain a record if never given the chance.

Ultimately, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to create her newest gem.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her bow and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.

The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the run of success.

That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.

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

If this latest epic knock topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the argument supporting championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

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

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this knock followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it was a challenging time because it seemed my form was missing completely," stated Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your fighting spirit take over and you just lock into the competition."

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her key asset - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

A single came off the opening delivery and from that point Healy was on her way.

"A chance to play and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.

By the time she was out the team needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the confidence to achieve that now," continued Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if we do, we are confident we can achieve it."

Those words will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this championship need to hear.

During the last week a feeling they will win from any position has only strengthened - this victory coming after win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.

It was in the semi-finals they left last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a significant event.

So strong is her resolve, she later said she wished she had played with the discomfort.

But while she later admitted those injuries have delayed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as skipper.

Success in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.