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

It's difficult for the Australian squad to break new ground.

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are all that remain for a side that has achieved everything.

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The fact it required as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the last half-century.

It's difficult for their batters to maintain a record if never given the chance.

Finally, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to deliver her newest gem.

Initially recognized as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her debut and seven world titles have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper 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 said this week.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not come up short.

Whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Certain people claim the case for the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What is certain is this hundred was considerably tougher to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in training, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your competitive nature take over and you simply focus on the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

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

"A chance to play and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.

By the time she was removed her side needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the assurance to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we know we can achieve it."

Those words will be the last competing nations at this World Cup need to hear.

During the last week a feeling they will win from any position has only strengthened - this success coming after victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

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 likely be confirmed.

During that phase they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing with the discomfort.

However although she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have delayed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as captain.

Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.