Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and once went over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are what's still available for a side that has achieved everything.

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It needed as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.

It's challenging for their batters to hold a record if never given the chance.

Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to create her most recent brilliance.

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

A T20 championship victory came three months after her debut and seven world titles have come from 10 efforts across formats.

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted 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 made 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.

If this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Many contend the case for final game tension. Some might respond with the test that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

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

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this innings followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm whatsoever," stated Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive nature take over and you simply focus on the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

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

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and after that Healy was underway.

"The possibility to go out there and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.

By the time she was dismissed Australia required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the confidence to accomplish that now," added Healy.

"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, should it happen, we know we can do it."

Those words will be the last Australia's opponents at this tournament need to hear.

During the last week a sense they will win from any position has grown stronger - this triumph following win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.

It was in the semi-finals they exited last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain.

But while she later admitted those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as captain.

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