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

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

The top summits have already been conquered.

This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a squad that has achieved everything.

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That it took as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.

It is hard for their batters to hold a record if not afforded the opportunity.

Ultimately, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to create her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have followed from 10 attempts across formats.

The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the run of success.

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

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fail again.

The question of whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.

Some will argue the argument supporting final game tension. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What is certain is this century was far harder to see coming.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this performance came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've been watching me in the nets, it's been a challenging time because it appeared my form was missing whatsoever," stated Healy.

"However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature activate and you simply focus on the competition."

Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.

One run resulted off the opening delivery and from there the right-hander was on her way.

"An opportunity to go out there and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.

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

"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy.

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

That comment will be the final thing rival teams at this World Cup should hear.

In recent days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this triumph coming after success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.

During that phase they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a significant event.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing with the discomfort.

But while she later admitted those injuries have delayed plans to retire, this tournament is likely to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as leader.

Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.