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

It's a challenge for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are what's still available for a side that has accomplished all there is.

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It needed as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It's difficult for their batters to hold a record if not provided the possibility.

In the end, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have come from 10 tries across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.

Whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort can be debated.

Certain people claim the reasoning behind final game tension. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's clear is this ton was considerably tougher to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared I've had no rhythm whatsoever," said Healy.

"However when you take the field, your fighting spirit take over and you completely engage with the match."

Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star 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 inspiration.

One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from there the batsman was in motion.

"The possibility to take the field and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun that way, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

By the time she was dismissed Australia needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.

"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the belief to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.

"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, should it happen, we believe we can succeed."

Those words will be the last competing nations at this championship need to hear.

In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this victory following success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.

It was in the semi-finals they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a significant event.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing despite the injury.

But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have delayed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as leader.

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