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

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

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

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

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The fact it required up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.

It's challenging for their batters to hold a record if not afforded the possibility.

In the end, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 World Cup win came three months after her debut and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.

The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the successful run.

That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fall short again.

The question of whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's clear is this hundred was much more difficult to anticipate.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this knock was preceded by six games 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's been a frustrating experience because I feel like I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you just lock into the match."

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

One run resulted off the opening delivery and from that point the right-hander was underway.

"An opportunity to go out there and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

By the time she was out her side required another 66 at one run per ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the belief to do that now," stated Healy further.

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

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

In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this success succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.

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 game Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a major tournament.

Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated through the pain.

But while she later admitted those fitness problems have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as skipper.

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