The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

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

The top summits have long been mastered.

This is the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

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

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It needed as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the last half-century.

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

Ultimately, the result of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a chance to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous 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 conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her bow and seven world titles have come from 10 tries across formats.

The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fail again.

If this latest epic knock topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter 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 far harder to see coming.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"For those following me in training, it was a disappointing period because it appeared my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.

"But once you take the field, your competitive instincts activate and you simply focus on the competition."

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

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

A single came off the opening delivery and after that the right-hander was in motion.

"The possibility to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun that way, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.

When she was removed her side needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I am glad we have the assurance to do that now," stated Healy further.

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

These statements will be the final thing competing nations at this tournament want to hear.

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

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.

It was at that stage they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a significant event.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wished she had played through the pain.

But while she later admitted those injuries have postponed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as leader.

Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.