Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.

The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.

This is the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a squad that has accomplished all there is.

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It needed up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.

It's difficult for their hitters to hold a record if not provided the possibility.

Finally, the result of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 World Cup win came three months after her bow and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.

The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.

That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.

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

The question of whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort is debatable.

Many contend the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Others can counter with the test that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What is certain is this hundred was much more difficult to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've been watching me in the nets, it's been a disappointing period because it seemed I've had no rhythm completely," said Healy.

"But once you take the field, your competitive nature kick in and you just lock into the competition."

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.

One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that the batsman was underway.

"A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

Once she was out Australia needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the confidence to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

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

Those words will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this tournament should hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this success following success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against 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 previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wished she had played through the pain.

But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have delayed consideration of ending her career, this championship is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as captain.

Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.