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

It's difficult for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.

This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a team that has won it all.

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The fact it required until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.

It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if never given the possibility.

Ultimately, the result of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.

The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the run of success.

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

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fall short again.

The question of whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display can be debated.

Certain people claim the case for final game tension. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What is certain is this century was much more difficult to predict.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've observed me in the nets, it was a challenging time because it seemed my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you simply focus on the match."

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.

A single came off the bowler's initial ball and after that the right-hander was underway.

"The possibility to play and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself that way, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

By the time she was dismissed her side needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.

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

That comment will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this championship want to hear.

Over the past five days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this triumph succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting 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 were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing with the discomfort.

Yet even as she later admitted those fitness problems have postponed plans to retire, this championship is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as captain.

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