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

It's tough for Australia to set fresh records.

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, those for the record chasers, are all that remain for a team that has won it all.

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The fact it required up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.

It's challenging for their batters to hold a record if not provided the possibility.

Finally, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a chance to produce her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

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

The tough gloveman was in attendance 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 commented earlier.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.

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

Certain people claim the argument supporting final game tension. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What is certain is this ton was considerably tougher to see coming.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this performance was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month 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 at all," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts activate and you just lock into the match."

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.

One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from that point Healy was on her way.

"The possibility to go out there and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.

When she was dismissed the team needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the assurance to accomplish that now," added Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we know we can do it."

Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this championship should hear.

During the last week a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this triumph following victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.

It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

So strong is her resolve, she later said she wished she had played through the pain.

But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have postponed plans to retire, this championship is likely to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader.

Victory in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.