The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

It's a challenge for the Australian squad to break new ground.

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, targeted by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a side that has won it all.

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The fact it required up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have represented Australia over five decades.

It's challenging for their hitters to possess a record if never given the chance.

Finally, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given a platform to deliver her newest gem.

Then best known as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted 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 successful years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her debut and seven international trophies have followed from 10 attempts across formats.

The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the winning streak.

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

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

Whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

Some will argue the case for final game tension. Others can counter with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What is certain is this ton was considerably tougher to predict.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"For those following me in training, it's been a challenging time because it seemed I lacked timing whatsoever," commented Healy.

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

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her key asset - and a priceless quality in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.

A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from there the batsman was on her way.

"A chance to go out there and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.

When she was out Australia needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the confidence to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

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

That comment will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this tournament need to hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this success following success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.

It was at that stage they were eliminated from 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 captained her nation for the first time at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wished she had played with the discomfort.

But while she afterwards confessed those injuries have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as leader.

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