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

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

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

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

The remaining milestones, targeted by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a team that has achieved everything.

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It needed until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest 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 batsmen to hold a record if never given the opportunity.

In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a platform to create her most recent brilliance.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her bow and seven global championships have followed from 10 efforts across formats.

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the winning streak.

That loss "motivated 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 title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not come up short.

The question of whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the case for final game tension. Some might respond with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's clear is this hundred was far harder to anticipate.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this knock came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"For those following me in training, it's been a challenging time because it appeared I lacked timing completely," stated Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit activate and you simply focus on the competition."

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

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

"The possibility to take the field and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.

By the time she was dismissed the team required another 66 at run per delivery - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

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

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if necessary, we believe we can succeed."

That comment will be the last Australia's opponents at this World Cup should hear.

Over the past five days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this triumph following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game 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 wished she had played with the discomfort.

But while she afterwards confessed those injuries have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as skipper.

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