The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

It's a challenge for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, targeted by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a side that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Ton Helps Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers

It needed up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It's challenging for their batters to possess a record if never given the chance.

In the end, the result of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving 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 Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the winning streak.

That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.

The question of whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.

Many contend the case for championship match pressure. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's clear is this century was far harder to predict.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this innings followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it's been a disappointing period because it appeared I lacked timing whatsoever," commented Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your fighting spirit take over and you completely engage with the competition."

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from there Healy was underway.

"An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.

When she was removed her side needed 66 more at one run per ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.

"To chase 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the belief to do that now," stated Healy further.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we know we can do it."

These statements will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup need to hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this triumph coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.

It was in the semi-finals they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated through the pain.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have postponed plans to retire, this tournament is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as captain.

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