Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

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

The top summits have long been mastered.

We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 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 up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.

It is hard for their batters to hold a record if never given the possibility.

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given a platform to produce her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 championship victory came three months after her bow and seven world titles have come from 10 attempts across formats.

The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.

That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.

Whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort can be debated.

Certain people claim the case for final game tension. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've been watching me in the nets, it has been a disappointing period because I feel like I lacked timing completely," stated Healy.

"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive instincts take over and you completely engage with the match."

Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.

A single came off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was in motion.

"An opportunity to play and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

Once she was dismissed the team needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if necessary, we are confident we can do it."

That comment will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this tournament need to hear.

In recent days a belief they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this success following victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.

It was in the semi-finals they left last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wished she had played despite the injury.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have postponed consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as captain.

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