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

It's a challenge for the Australian squad to break new ground.

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

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

The secondary achievements, those for the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad that has won it all.

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That it took until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It's challenging for their batters to hold a record if not afforded the opportunity.

Finally, the result of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a chance to produce her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her bow and seven global championships have come from 10 tries across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.

If this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort can be debated.

Certain people claim the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

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

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this performance was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"For those following me in training, it has been a frustrating experience because it seemed I lacked timing whatsoever," said Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive nature take over and you simply focus on the contest."

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and after that Healy was on her way.

"A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

Once she was out her side required another 66 at one run per ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

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

"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, should it happen, we believe we can do it."

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

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

Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.

It was at that stage they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wished she had played despite the injury.

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this tournament is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as skipper.

Success in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.