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 greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a side that has won it all.

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That it took until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowlers that have represented Australia over five decades.

It's challenging for their hitters to maintain a record if not afforded the chance.

Finally, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her newest gem.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her bow and seven global championships have come from 10 tries across formats.

The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the successful run.

That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match 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 reasoning behind championship match pressure. Others can counter with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

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

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this innings came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it was a challenging time because it seemed I've had no rhythm completely," stated Healy.

"But once you take the field, your fighting spirit activate and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has always been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.

A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from there Healy was on her way.

"An opportunity to go out there and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

By the time she was out Australia needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

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

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

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

Over the past five days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this success coming after win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

It was at that stage they left last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated through the pain.

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader.

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