Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

It's tough for Australia to break new ground.

The top summits have long been mastered.

This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a side that has won it all.

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The fact it required as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.

It is hard for their batters to hold a record if not provided the opportunity.

In the end, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country didn't secure 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 bow and seven world titles have come from 10 efforts across formats.

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the run of success.

That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not come up short.

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

Some will argue the argument supporting final game tension. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's definite is this hundred was much more difficult to predict.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've observed me in training, it was a disappointing period because it seemed my form was missing completely," said Healy.

"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the match."

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

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

"The possibility to play and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.

By the time she was out her side needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.

"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the belief to do that now," stated Healy further.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, should it happen, we believe we can succeed."

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

In recent days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this triumph following victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.

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

During that phase they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a significant event.

So great is her will, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing with the discomfort.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this championship is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as skipper.

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