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

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

The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, those for the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a side that has achieved everything.

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The fact it required as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over five decades.

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

In the end, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her bow and seven international trophies have come from 10 efforts across formats.

The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the winning streak.

That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fail again.

Whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the argument supporting championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What is certain is this hundred was far harder to predict.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this knock followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it has been a challenging time because it appeared I've had no rhythm at all," said Healy.

"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your fighting spirit activate and you simply focus on the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.

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

"The possibility to take the field and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

Once she was removed her side needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the assurance to accomplish that now," added Healy.

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

These statements will be the last Australia's opponents at this tournament need to hear.

In recent days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this success coming after success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.

It was in the semi-finals they left the previous 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 inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing despite the injury.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this championship is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as captain.

Victory in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.