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

It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, targeted by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is.

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That it took as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.

It's challenging for their batsmen to possess a record if not provided the possibility.

In the end, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a chance to produce her newest gem.

Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.

A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 tries across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.

That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.

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

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

Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's clear is this hundred was considerably tougher to see coming.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this knock came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"For those following me in practice sessions, it was a frustrating experience because I feel like I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive instincts take over and you simply focus on the competition."

Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.

A single came off the opening delivery and after that Healy was in motion.

"A chance to play and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself that way, sort of got me going," stated Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.

By the time she was dismissed her side required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.

"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the assurance to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we are confident we can achieve it."

Those words will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this championship want to hear.

During the last week a belief they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this victory succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.

It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at an important competition.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wished she had played with the discomfort.

However although she afterwards confessed those physical issues have pushed back plans to retire, this tournament is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as skipper.

Success in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.