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

It's difficult for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, targeted by the record chasers, are the only things left for a side that has won it all.

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It needed as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if never given the chance.

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to produce her most recent brilliance.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her debut and seven global championships have resulted from 10 tries across formats.

The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.

That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fail again.

The question of whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.

Many contend the argument supporting championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance 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 practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because it appeared I've had no rhythm at all," commented Healy.

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

Healy's fighting spirit has always been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.

One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the right-hander was on her way.

"A chance to play and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself that way, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

Once she was removed the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the confidence to accomplish that now," added Healy.

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

That comment will be the final thing rival teams at this World Cup should hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will win from any position has become more firm - this triumph coming after win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they left last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have postponed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as skipper.

Victory in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.