The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

It's tough for Australia to break new ground.

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, those for the record chasers, are what's still available for a team 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 above 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.

It's challenging for their hitters to hold a record if never given the possibility.

In the end, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to produce her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

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

The determined wicketkeeper was also there 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 next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.

Whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's clear is this century was much more difficult to anticipate.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've been watching me in the nets, it has been a disappointing period because it seemed I lacked timing whatsoever," said Healy.

"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you just lock into the competition."

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

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from there the right-hander was in motion.

"A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun that way, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

When she was dismissed the team needed 66 more at one run per ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the belief to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if we do, we believe we can achieve it."

Those words will be the last Australia's opponents at this championship need to hear.

Over the past five days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this triumph following success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.

It was at that stage they left last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she later said she wished she had played through the pain.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have postponed plans to retire, this championship is anticipated as her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as leader.

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