Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad that has achieved everything.

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It needed until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their batsmen to maintain a record if not afforded the possibility.

Finally, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to create her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her debut and seven international trophies have followed from 10 efforts across formats.

The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fail again.

If this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort can be debated.

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

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

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this innings came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in training, it's been a disappointing period because I feel like I've had no rhythm whatsoever," said Healy.

"But once you take the field, your fighting spirit take over and you completely engage with the match."

Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was in motion.

"An opportunity to go out there and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

By the time she was dismissed the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy.

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

These statements will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this tournament should hear.

In recent days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory following success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

It was in the semi-finals they left last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback 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.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wished she had played despite the injury.

But while she afterwards confessed those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is likely to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as captain.

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