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

It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.

The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.

This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

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

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It needed as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

It is hard for their batsmen to maintain a record if never given the chance.

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy getting a chance to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her debut and seven global championships have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.

That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not come up short.

Whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's clear is this century was considerably tougher to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when 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 failed to pass 30.

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

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

Healy's fighting spirit has always been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from that point Healy was on her way.

"A chance to play and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.

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

"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the assurance to do that now," added Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if we do, we know we can do it."

That comment will be the last competing nations at this World Cup want to hear.

In recent days a belief they will win from any position has grown stronger - this success coming after win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place 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 - an encounter Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a major tournament.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain.

But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as leader.

Victory in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.