The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

It's a challenge for the Australian squad to break new ground.

The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.

This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

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

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That it took until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.

It's challenging for their batsmen to hold a record if not afforded the chance.

Ultimately, the result of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to deliver her newest gem.

Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her debut and seven international trophies have come from 10 tries 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 "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not come up short.

If this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display is debatable.

Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, 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 been watching me in training, it was a challenging time because it appeared my form was missing completely," commented Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive nature activate and you completely engage with the match."

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

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.

One run resulted off the opening delivery and from there the batsman was underway.

"An opportunity to take the field and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.

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

"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the confidence to achieve that now," added Healy.

"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if necessary, we are confident we can do it."

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

Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

It was in the semi-finals they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated through the pain.

But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have postponed plans to retire, this championship is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a global event as leader.

Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.