Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.

The top summits have already been conquered.

We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the record chasers, are what's still available for a squad that has won it all.

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That it took until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their hitters to maintain a record if not afforded the possibility.

In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to produce her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 championship victory came three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.

The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the winning streak.

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

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fall short again.

If this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

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

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in the nets, it was a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm at all," stated Healy.

"However when you take the field, your competitive nature take over and you completely engage with the competition."

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.

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

"An opportunity to go out there and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

By the time she was out Australia required another 66 at run per delivery - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.

"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the belief to accomplish that now," continued Healy.

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

That comment will be the last competing nations at this tournament should hear.

During the last week a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this triumph following win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

During that phase they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a significant event.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wished she had played despite the injury.

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have postponed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as skipper.

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