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

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

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, those for the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a side that has accomplished all there is.

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It needed as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.

It's challenging for their hitters to maintain a record if never given the possibility.

In the end, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy being given a chance to create her newest gem.

Then best known as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 championship victory happened three months after her debut and seven global championships have followed from 10 attempts across formats.

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

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

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the argument supporting final game tension. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's definite is this hundred was much more difficult to predict.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this innings followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it has been a challenging time because it seemed I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.

"However when you step out on the field, your fighting spirit activate and you simply focus on the match."

Healy's competitive nature has always been her key asset - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.

A single came off the opening delivery and after that Healy was underway.

"A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

When she was dismissed the team required another 66 at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.

"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, should it happen, we believe we can succeed."

That comment will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this championship need to hear.

Over the past five days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this success coming after win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents 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 was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a significant event.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing through the pain.

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper.

Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.