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

It's tough for Australia to break new ground.

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, targeted by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a team that has accomplished all there is.

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It needed as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute 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 opportunity.

Ultimately, the result of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to create her newest gem.

Originally famous as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 World Cup win came three months after her debut and seven global championships have come from 10 efforts across formats.

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

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

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 fail again.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Some will argue the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's definite is this century was much more difficult to predict.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this knock followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in practice sessions, it was a disappointing period because I feel like I've had no rhythm at all," stated Healy.

"However when you take the field, your competitive instincts take over and you simply focus on the match."

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the batsman was underway.

"An opportunity to play and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

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

"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to do that now," continued Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we are confident we can do 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 become more firm - this triumph succeeding win against 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 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they exited the previous 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 initial instance at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she later said she wished she had played despite the injury.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have postponed plans to retire, this tournament is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as captain.

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