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

It's tough for Australia to break new ground.

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and once went over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are what's still available for a team that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Century Aids Australia to Historic Pursuit
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Tournament Standings, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers

The fact it required up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.

It's challenging for their hitters to maintain a record if not provided the opportunity.

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

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her debut and seven international trophies have followed from 10 tries across formats.

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

That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.

If this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's clear is this ton was considerably tougher to see coming.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in training, it's been a disappointing period because it seemed I lacked timing at all," said Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your competitive nature take over and you just lock into the match."

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.

A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from there the right-hander was on her way.

"A chance to play and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.

When she was removed Australia required another 66 at run per delivery - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the belief to achieve that now," added Healy.

"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if necessary, we are confident we can do it."

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

In recent days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this success following victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.

It was at that stage they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she later said she regretted not playing with the discomfort.

Yet even as she later admitted those physical issues have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this tournament is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper.

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