Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

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

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are the only things left for a team that has won it all.

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The fact it required up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.

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

Ultimately, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a platform to create her newest gem.

Originally famous as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.

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

The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted 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 scored 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.

If this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.

Many contend the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What is certain is this hundred was much more difficult to anticipate.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in training, it has been a challenging time because it appeared my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.

"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive nature take over and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and a priceless quality in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and after that Healy was underway.

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

She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

When she was removed her side required another 66 at run per delivery - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.

"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the belief to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if we do, we know we can do it."

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

In recent days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this triumph coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

It was at that stage they were eliminated from the prior 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 guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.

So great is her will, she later said she regretted not playing despite the injury.

But while she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is likely to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as skipper.

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