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

It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.

The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.

This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are all that remain for a squad that has won it all.

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That it took as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.

It is hard for their batsmen to maintain a record if not provided the chance.

Ultimately, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a platform to create her newest gem.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 championship victory happened three months after her debut and seven world titles have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.

The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.

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

Whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.

Some will argue the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Some might respond with the test that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's clear is this ton was far harder to anticipate.

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

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it was a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your fighting spirit activate and you simply focus on the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.

One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from that point Healy was on her way.

"The possibility to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun that way, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.

By the time she was dismissed the team needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I am glad we have the belief to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

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

Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup want to hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this victory succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors 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 were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

So great is her will, she later said she wished she had played despite the injury.

But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader.

Success in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.