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

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

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and once went over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for the record chasers, are all that remain for a side that has won it all.

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It needed until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.

It is hard for their batters to hold a record if never given the chance.

Finally, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to create her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have followed from 10 tries across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the run of success.

That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fall short again.

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

Many contend the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's definite is this ton was far harder to predict.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this performance was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"For those following me in practice sessions, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your fighting spirit activate and you simply focus on the match."

Healy's fighting spirit has always been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.

A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was in motion.

"The possibility to play and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.

Once she was dismissed her side needed 66 more at one run per ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

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

"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if necessary, we are confident we can achieve it."

That comment will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this tournament should hear.

In recent days a sense they will win from any position has become more firm - this triumph succeeding success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.

It was in the semi-finals they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

But while she later admitted those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as captain.

Victory in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.