The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

It's a challenge for the Australian squad to set fresh records.

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, those for the peak baggers, are all that remain for a team that has won it all.

• Healy's Hundred Aids Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

That it took until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over five decades.

It is hard for their batters to possess a record if not provided the opportunity.

In the end, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a platform to produce her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have resulted from 10 attempts 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 "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.

At the next 50-over 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 fall short again.

Whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display is debatable.

Certain people claim the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the test that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What is certain is this ton was considerably tougher to anticipate.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this performance was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because I feel like my form was missing completely," said Healy.

"But once you take the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you completely engage with the competition."

Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

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

One run resulted off the opening delivery and from that point Healy was in motion.

"An opportunity to take the field and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her fastest 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.

"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the assurance to accomplish that now," continued Healy.

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

Those words will be the last rival teams at this championship should hear.

Over the past five days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory following success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.

Following this Australia face 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 the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wished she had played with the discomfort.

But while she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have postponed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as captain.

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