The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, targeted by the record chasers, are all that remain for a squad that has accomplished all there is.

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It needed until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.

It is hard for their batters to maintain a record if not provided the opportunity.

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

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have come from 10 attempts across formats.

The gritty keeper was present as well 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 commented earlier.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.

If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Many contend the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What is certain is this century was far harder to anticipate.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it's been a challenging time because it appeared I lacked timing whatsoever," commented Healy.

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

Healy's competitive nature has always been her great strength - and a priceless quality in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.

A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the right-hander was on her way.

"A chance to take the field and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.

Once she was dismissed Australia required another 66 at run per delivery - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy.

"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if we do, we know we can do it."

Those words will be the last rival teams at this tournament need to hear.

In recent days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this triumph coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

During that phase they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a significant event.

So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as leader.

Victory in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.