Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

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

The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the record chasers, are what's still available for a team that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Hundred Assists Australia to Record Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

That it took up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their batsmen to hold a record if not provided the chance.

Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to create her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous 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 conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her debut and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.

The gritty keeper was also there 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 made 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.

If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Certain people claim the case for final game tension. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this performance followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"For those following me in training, it's been a disappointing period because I feel like I lacked timing at all," commented Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive nature take over and you just lock into the match."

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.

One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the batsman was in motion.

"An opportunity to play and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

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

When she was dismissed her side required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the belief to do that now," stated Healy further.

"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, should it happen, we are confident we can succeed."

That comment will be the final thing rival teams at this championship want to hear.

During the last week a belief they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this success succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals 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 previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

So great is her will, she later said she wanted to have participated through the pain.

However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as leader.

Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.