The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

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

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

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

The alternative records, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a side that has achieved everything.

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That it took until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It's challenging for their batsmen to hold a record if not provided the possibility.

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a platform to create her newest gem.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted 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 hit 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fail again.

Whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the argument supporting championship match pressure. Others can counter with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's definite is this hundred was much more difficult to see coming.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"For those following me in practice sessions, it has been a challenging time because it appeared I lacked timing completely," commented Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your fighting spirit take over and you simply focus on the match."

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.

A single came off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was underway.

"The possibility to go out there and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

When she was dismissed the team needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy 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 are confident we can do it."

These statements will be the last Australia's opponents at this championship want to hear.

In recent days a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this triumph succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.

It was at that stage they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a major tournament.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing with the discomfort.

However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have postponed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader.

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