Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

It's difficult for the Australian squad to set fresh records.

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, targeted by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad that has achieved everything.

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That it took until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

It is hard for their batters to maintain a record if never given the opportunity.

Ultimately, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to create her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 championship victory came three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have come from 10 efforts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.

That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.

Whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

Certain people claim the argument supporting championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's clear is this century was considerably tougher to anticipate.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've observed me in training, it's been a disappointing period because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," stated Healy.

"But once you take the field, your competitive nature take over and you simply focus on the match."

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her key asset - and a priceless quality in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.

One run resulted off the opening delivery and from there the batsman was underway.

"An opportunity to play and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

When she was removed her side required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.

"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to accomplish that now," added Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we are confident we can succeed."

That comment will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this World Cup should hear.

During the last week a belief they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this success coming after win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

It was in the semi-finals they left last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing through the pain.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as captain.

Success in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.