The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.

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

The top summits have long been mastered.

We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and once went over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

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

• Healy's Hundred Aids Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Matches, Results & Statistics
• Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Leading Bowlers

The fact it required up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.

It is hard for their hitters to maintain a record if not afforded the opportunity.

Finally, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy being given a platform to create her newest gem.

Originally famous as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 championship victory came three months after her debut and seven international trophies have come from 10 tries across formats.

The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.

That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," 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 ensured her country would not fall short again.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort can be debated.

Many contend the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What is certain is this ton was much more difficult to see coming.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in practice sessions, it's been a frustrating experience because it appeared I lacked timing whatsoever," commented Healy.

"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive nature take over and you completely engage with the match."

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

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.

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

"The possibility to take the field and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun that way, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

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

When she was removed Australia needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.

"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the belief to achieve that now," continued Healy.

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

These statements will be the last competing nations at this tournament want to hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will win from any position has grown stronger - this success succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.

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

It was at that stage they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at an important competition.

So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wished she had played with the discomfort.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have postponed plans to retire, this tournament is expected to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as captain.

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