Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

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

The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.

This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a side that has accomplished all there is.

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It needed until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It is hard for their batters to hold a record if never given the possibility.

In the end, the result of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative 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 conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 World Cup win came three months after her debut and seven international trophies have followed from 10 tries across formats.

The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the successful run.

That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fail again.

If this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Some will argue the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's definite is this ton was much more difficult to see coming.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this innings came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.

"For those following me in the nets, it's been a challenging time because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," said Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts activate and you just lock into the competition."

Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

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

A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from there the right-hander was underway.

"The possibility to play and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

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

When she was removed Australia needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

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

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

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

Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this victory following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

During that phase they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.

Yet even as she later admitted those fitness problems have postponed consideration of ending her career, this championship is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as leader.

Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.