The Australian Team 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 been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is.

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The fact it required until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the pitchers that have represented Australia over five decades.

It's difficult for their hitters to possess a record if never given the possibility.

Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have followed from 10 attempts across formats.

The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.

That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.

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

If this latest epic knock topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. 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 considerably tougher to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this innings followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it's been a disappointing period because it seemed my form was missing whatsoever," stated Healy.

"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive nature activate and you completely engage with the match."

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her great strength - and a priceless quality in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was in motion.

"An opportunity to take the field and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.

Once she was dismissed Australia required another 66 at run per delivery - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the confidence to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we are confident we can achieve it."

Those words will be the last competing nations at this championship want to hear.

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

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.

It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at an important competition.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing with the discomfort.

However although she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have postponed plans to retire, this championship is expected to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as skipper.

Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.