The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The top summits have long been mastered.

We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for the peak baggers, are all that remain for a side that has achieved everything.

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It needed until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It's challenging for their batters to hold a record if never given the possibility.

In the end, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to deliver her newest gem.

Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all 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 tries across formats.

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

That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.

Whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

Many contend the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's clear 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 was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in practice sessions, it was a challenging time because I feel like I've had no rhythm at all," commented Healy.

"However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature take over and you simply focus on the competition."

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding 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 young fast bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and after that Healy was underway.

"A chance to play and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.

By the time she was out Australia required another 66 at one run per ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the belief to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we believe we can achieve it."

These statements will be the final thing rival teams at this championship want to hear.

During the last week a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this triumph succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.

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

During that phase they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this tournament is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a global event as captain.

Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.