Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

It's difficult for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

This is the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

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

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The fact it required until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It is hard for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the possibility.

In the end, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given a platform to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over 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 debut and seven global championships have followed from 10 attempts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.

That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fall short again.

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

Many contend the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Some might respond with the test that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What is certain is this century was much more difficult to see coming.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings 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 practice sessions, it's been a frustrating experience because I feel like I lacked timing at all," stated Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the match."

Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from there the batsman was underway.

"A chance to play and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

When she was dismissed her side needed 66 more at one run per ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the confidence to accomplish that now," continued Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if we do, we are confident we can succeed."

That comment will be the last Australia's opponents at this tournament need to hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will win from any position has only strengthened - this success coming after success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.

During that phase they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this tournament is likely to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as leader.

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