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

It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the record chasers, are all that remain for a team that has accomplished all there is.

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That it took as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over five decades.

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

In the end, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her newest gem.

Initially recognized as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

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

The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.

That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fall short again.

Whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the case for final game tension. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's definite is this ton was far harder to anticipate.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this innings came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've been watching me in the nets, it's been a challenging time because I feel like I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy.

"But once you take the field, your fighting spirit activate and you simply focus on the contest."

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

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

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was on her way.

"The possibility to play and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

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

Once she was out her side needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," continued Healy.

"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, should it happen, we know we can succeed."

These statements will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup should hear.

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

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

It was in the semi-finals they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.

So great is her will, she later said she wished she had played despite the injury.

However although she later admitted those injuries have delayed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as captain.

Victory in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.