Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

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

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The fact it required up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It's challenging for their hitters to maintain a record if not provided the possibility.

Finally, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have followed from 10 efforts across formats.

The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the winning streak.

That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not come up short.

Whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

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

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this innings was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've been watching me in training, it was a disappointing period because I feel like I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your competitive instincts activate and you simply focus on the match."

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

She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.

A single was taken off the opening delivery and from there the right-hander was in motion.

"The possibility to play and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.

Once she was out her side required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the confidence to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if we do, we are confident we can do it."

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

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

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

During that phase they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she later said she wished she had played through the pain.

However although she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this championship is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as leader.

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