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

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

The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, targeted by the record chasers, are what's still available for a side that has won it all.

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That it took until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their hitters to maintain a record if never given the chance.

Ultimately, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to create her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation 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.

Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have resulted from 10 tries across formats.

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

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

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.

The question of whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display can be debated.

Some will argue the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's definite is this hundred was much more difficult to see coming.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this innings came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it was a disappointing period because it appeared my form was missing whatsoever," stated Healy.

"However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature kick in and you simply focus on the competition."

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.

A single came off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was in motion.

"An opportunity to go out there and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

Once she was removed Australia needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.

"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the confidence to do that now," added Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we believe we can succeed."

Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this championship should hear.

During the last week a belief they will win from any position has only strengthened - this success succeeding win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.

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

It was in the semi-finals they exited the prior 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 guided Australia for the first time at a significant event.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wished she had played through the pain.

But while she later admitted those physical issues have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is expected to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as skipper.

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