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

It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

We're talking about the team 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 remaining milestones, targeted by the record chasers, are what's still available for a side that has won it all.

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The fact it required until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their batsmen to maintain a record if never given the possibility.

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

Then best known as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

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

The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the winning streak.

That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," 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 ensured her country would not come up short.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort is debatable.

Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. 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 century was considerably tougher to see coming.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've observed me in the nets, it has been a frustrating experience because it appeared my form was missing at all," said Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit take over and you completely engage with the competition."

Healy's competitive nature has always been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and after that the right-hander was on her way.

"A chance to go out there and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, sort of got me going," stated Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.

Once she was out her side needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the belief to achieve that now," added Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we are confident we can do it."

These statements will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this World Cup want to hear.

In recent days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this triumph coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.

During that phase they left last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she later said she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.

But while she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as skipper.

Victory in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.