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

It's a challenge for Australia to set fresh records.

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

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

The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a squad that has achieved everything.

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That it took until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over five decades.

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

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a platform to create her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.

A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her bow and seven global championships have followed from 10 efforts across formats.

The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.

That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fall short again.

If this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the case for final game tension. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"For those following me in the nets, it's been a frustrating experience because it appeared I lacked timing whatsoever," stated Healy.

"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive instincts activate and you simply focus on the competition."

Healy's competitive nature has always been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from that point Healy was in motion.

"A chance to go out there and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

By the time she was dismissed the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.

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

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

That comment will be the last competing nations at this tournament need to hear.

Over the past five days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this success following victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

It was at that stage they exited last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a significant event.

So great is her will, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing with the discomfort.

But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have postponed plans to retire, this championship is expected to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as leader.

Victory in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.