The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.

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

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a team that has won it all.

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It needed as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their batsmen to possess a record if not provided the possibility.

Finally, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to deliver her newest gem.

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

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her bow and seven world titles have come from 10 efforts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the run of success.

That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fail again.

If this latest epic knock topped that previous effort can be debated.

Some will argue the case for championship match pressure. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What is certain is this century was considerably tougher to predict.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it's been a disappointing period because I feel like I've had no rhythm at all," said Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit kick in and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off the opening delivery and after that Healy was underway.

"A chance to go out there and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

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

By the time she was removed Australia required another 66 at one run per ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.

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

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

That comment will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this championship should hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory coming after success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one stage.

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

It was in the semi-finals they left last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

So great is her will, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have postponed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is expected to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as skipper.

Success in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.