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

It's a challenge for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.

The top summits have long been mastered.

This is the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, those for the peak baggers, are the only things left for a side that has accomplished all there is.

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

It's difficult for their batters to maintain a record if not afforded the chance.

Finally, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her bow and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.

The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the run of success.

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

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.

Some will argue the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this performance came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in the nets, it was a frustrating experience because I feel like my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you simply focus on the match."

Healy's competitiveness has always been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.

A single came off the opening delivery and after that Healy was in motion.

"The possibility to play and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

When she was out Australia needed 66 more at run per delivery - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

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

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if we do, we are confident we can do it."

These statements will be the final thing rival teams at this championship want to hear.

In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this triumph coming after win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.

It was at that stage they left last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing with the discomfort.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those injuries have delayed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as leader.

Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.