Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.

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

The top summits have long been mastered.

We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the record chasers, are the only things left for a team that has achieved everything.

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That it took up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.

It's difficult for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the chance.

In the end, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

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

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

That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 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 newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Many contend the case for final game tension. 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 far harder to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've observed me in training, it has been a disappointing period because I feel like I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy.

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

Healy's fighting spirit has always been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.

One run resulted off the opening delivery and after that the right-hander was on her way.

"An opportunity to go out there and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun that way, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.

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

"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the assurance to achieve that now," added Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we believe we can achieve it."

Those words will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this World Cup need to hear.

During the last week a belief they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this success following win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.

It was at that stage they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she later said she regretted not playing despite the injury.

Yet even as she later admitted those fitness problems have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as leader.

Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.