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

It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The top summits have long been mastered.

We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, targeted by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a side that has accomplished all there is.

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It needed as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.

It's challenging for their batters to maintain a record if not provided the chance.

Finally, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.

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

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

That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.

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

The question of whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort is debatable.

Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's clear is this ton was much more difficult to see coming.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this performance was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"For those following me in training, it has been a disappointing period because it seemed I've had no rhythm whatsoever," said Healy.

"However when you take the field, your competitive instincts activate and you simply focus on the contest."

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her key asset - and a priceless quality in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from there Healy was underway.

"The possibility to go out there and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself that way, sort of got me going," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.

By the time she was out the team needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, should it happen, we believe we can succeed."

These statements will be the last rival teams at this tournament need to hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this success following victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one point.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.

It was at that stage they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she later said she regretted not playing with the discomfort.

However although she afterwards confessed those physical issues have postponed plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as leader.

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