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

It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a squad that has achieved everything.

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

It's difficult for their batters to maintain a record if not provided the chance.

Ultimately, the result of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy being given a chance to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have resulted from 10 tries across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.

That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.

If this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display is debatable.

Many contend the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's clear is this century was much more difficult to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've been watching me in the nets, it was a challenging time because I feel like I lacked timing whatsoever," commented Healy.

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

Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her great strength - and a priceless quality in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.

One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from there Healy was in motion.

"An opportunity to take the field and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, sort of got me going," stated Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

By the time she was out the team needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the confidence to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

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

These statements will be the last competing nations at this tournament should hear.

Over the past five days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this victory succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

During that phase they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wished she had played despite the injury.

Yet even as she later admitted those physical issues have pushed back plans to retire, this tournament is expected to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper.

Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.