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

It's tough for Australia to break new ground.

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a team that has won it all.

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It needed up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the last half-century.

It is hard for their hitters to hold a record if not provided the possibility.

Finally, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her bow and seven world titles have resulted from 10 tries across formats.

The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.

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 made sure her country would not fail again.

Whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Certain people claim the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Some might respond 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 far harder to anticipate.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this knock came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared my form was missing at all," commented Healy.

"However when you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit kick in and you completely engage with the contest."

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off the opening delivery and after that Healy was in motion.

"A chance to play and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun that way, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

When she was removed the team required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the assurance to accomplish that now," added Healy.

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

That comment will be the last Australia's opponents at this tournament need to hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will win from any position has grown stronger - this triumph following success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.

It was in the semi-finals they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a major tournament.

Such is her determination, she later said she regretted not playing despite the injury.

However although she later admitted those injuries have postponed plans to retire, this championship is expected to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as captain.

Victory in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.