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

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

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, targeted by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a squad that has achieved everything.

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It needed up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the last half-century.

It's difficult for their batsmen to maintain a record if not provided the possibility.

Finally, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a platform to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have come from 10 attempts across formats.

The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the successful run.

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

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.

Whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort can be debated.

Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's definite is this ton was considerably tougher to anticipate.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this performance followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've observed me in the nets, it has been a frustrating experience because I feel like my form was missing whatsoever," stated Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts take over and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.

A single came off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was in motion.

"The possibility to play and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

By the time she was out Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the confidence to accomplish that now," added Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we believe we can succeed."

These statements will be the last competing nations at this championship should hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will win from any position has grown stronger - this triumph succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

During that phase they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wished she had played through the pain.

Yet even as she later admitted those injuries have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as skipper.

Victory in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.