Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.

It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

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

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

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The fact it required as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

It's difficult for their batsmen to possess a record if never given the opportunity.

Finally, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to deliver her newest gem.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played 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 successful years since.

A T20 World Cup win came three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have followed from 10 tries across formats.

The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the successful run.

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

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display is debatable.

Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while 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 failed to pass 30.

"For those following me in training, it was a disappointing period because it seemed I lacked timing completely," said Healy.

"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you just lock into the match."

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.

One run resulted off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was on her way.

"The possibility to go out there and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

By the time she was dismissed her side needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.

"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the belief to do that now," added Healy.

"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, should it happen, we believe we can succeed."

Those words will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this tournament should hear.

In recent days a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this triumph coming after success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.

It was in the semi-finals they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a significant event.

So great is her will, she later said she wished she had played with the discomfort.

Yet even as she later admitted those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as leader.

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