The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

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

The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.

This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another 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 side that has achieved everything.

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That it took up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

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

In the end, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to produce her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

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

The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the successful run.

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

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not come up short.

The question of 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 test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's definite is this hundred was considerably tougher to see coming.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this innings followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in training, it was a disappointing period because I feel like I've had no rhythm at all," stated Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit activate and you just lock into the match."

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.

A single was taken off the opening delivery and from there Healy was underway.

"An opportunity to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

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

"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the assurance to do that now," stated Healy further.

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

That comment will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup want to hear.

Over the past five days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.

During that phase they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a major tournament.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have postponed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as captain.

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