Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

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

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and once went over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the record chasers, 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 accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.

It's challenging for their batters to possess a record if never given the opportunity.

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to produce her newest gem.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.

A T20 World Cup win came three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have followed from 10 efforts across formats.

The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the winning streak.

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

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.

If this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this performance came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"For those following me in the nets, it has been a challenging time because it appeared my form was missing completely," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts take over and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the right-hander was underway.

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

She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

When she was out her side needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.

"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the confidence to achieve that now," continued Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if we do, we believe we can achieve it."

These statements will be the final thing rival teams at this World Cup want to hear.

Over the past five days a feeling they will win from any position has only strengthened - this triumph coming after victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.

It was at that stage they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she later said she regretted not playing with the discomfort.

However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as leader.

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