Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

It's tough for Australia to set fresh records.

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, those for the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a team that has accomplished all there is.

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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 exceeding 300, regaining their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.

It is hard for their batsmen to hold a record if never given the possibility.

Ultimately, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.

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

The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the successful run.

That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fall short again.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display is debatable.

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

What is certain is this hundred was much more difficult to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in training, it has been a frustrating experience because it appeared my form was missing at all," said Healy.

"However when you take the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the match."

Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.

One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the batsman was underway.

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

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

By the time she was dismissed the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the belief to accomplish that now," continued Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if we do, we know we can achieve it."

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

Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this victory succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.

It was at that stage they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

So strong is her resolve, she later said she regretted not playing despite the injury.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have postponed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is likely to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as captain.

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