Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

It's a challenge for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, targeted by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is.

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The fact it required until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

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

In the end, the result of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a platform to produce her newest gem.

Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut 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 came three months after her bow and seven global championships have resulted from 10 tries across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the successful run.

That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.

At the following one-day championship 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.

The question of whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Some will argue the case for the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's definite is this century was considerably tougher to see coming.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this performance came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because it appeared I lacked timing completely," stated Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit kick in and you just lock into the match."

Healy's fighting spirit has always been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

A single was taken off the opening delivery and after that the batsman was on her way.

"An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

By the time she was out Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the belief to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we know we can succeed."

These statements will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup should hear.

During the last week a belief they will win from any position has only strengthened - this victory coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.

It was in the semi-finals they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at an important competition.

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

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have postponed plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as leader.

Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.