Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

It's tough for Australia to break new ground.

The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.

This is the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the record chasers, are the only things left for a side that has accomplished all there is.

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It needed as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, taking back 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 past 50 years.

It is hard for their batters to possess a record if not provided the chance.

In the end, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy being given a platform to create her newest gem.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her debut and seven global championships have come from 10 tries across formats.

The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the successful run.

That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fail again.

Whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Some will argue the case for championship match pressure. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

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

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

"For those following me in practice sessions, it has been a disappointing period because it seemed my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's competitive nature has always been her key asset - and a priceless quality in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from there the right-hander was underway.

"An opportunity to go out there and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

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

When she was removed the team required another 66 at a run-a-ball - 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," stated Healy further.

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

Those words will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this championship want to hear.

During the last week a sense they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.

It was at that stage they exited last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain.

However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have postponed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as captain.

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