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

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

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the record chasers, are what's still available for a side that has accomplished all there is.

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That it took as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the biggest 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 possess a record if not provided the chance.

Ultimately, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy being given a platform to produce her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 championship victory happened three months after her debut and seven international trophies have followed 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 run of success.

That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fall short again.

The question of whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort can be debated.

Some will argue the argument supporting championship match pressure. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's definite is this century was considerably tougher to see coming.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've observed me in training, it has been a disappointing period because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you take the field, your fighting spirit activate and you just lock into the competition."

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.

A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and after that the right-hander was in motion.

"An opportunity to take the field and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

By the time she was removed her side needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.

"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm happy we have the confidence to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.

"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if necessary, we know we can achieve it."

That comment will be the final thing rival teams at this World Cup need to hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this victory following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a major tournament.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have delayed thoughts of retirement, this championship is likely to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a global event as captain.

Victory in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.