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 been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, those for the record chasers, are all that remain for a squad that has accomplished all there is.

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The fact it required as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

It's difficult for their hitters to hold a record if not provided the possibility.

Ultimately, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting a chance to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.

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

The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the run of success.

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

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

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.

Some will argue the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Some might respond with the test that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's definite is this ton was much more difficult to anticipate.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"For those following me in the nets, it has been a challenging time because it appeared my form was missing at all," said Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the young fast 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 Healy was underway.

"The possibility to go out there and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

When she was out Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the assurance to accomplish that now," added Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we know we can succeed."

These statements will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this tournament want to hear.

In recent days a belief they will win from any position has only strengthened - this success succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, 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 a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she later said she regretted not playing with the discomfort.

But while she later admitted those fitness problems have delayed plans to retire, this tournament is anticipated as her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as leader.

Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.