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

It's a challenge for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, those for the peak baggers, are what's still available for a squad that has achieved everything.

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It needed until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It is hard for their batters to maintain a record if not afforded the chance.

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

Initially recognized as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper 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 commented earlier.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

Many contend the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

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

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've observed me in the nets, it's been a frustrating experience because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," stated Healy.

"However when you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit activate and you simply focus on the competition."

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

She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was underway.

"A chance to play and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

By the time she was out her side needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

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

"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if necessary, we know we can do it."

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

In recent days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this triumph following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.

During that phase they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she later said she regretted not playing through the pain.

However although she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as captain.

Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.