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

It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, targeted by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a team that has won it all.

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The fact it required up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It's difficult for their batsmen to maintain a record if not provided the opportunity.

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to create her newest gem.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.

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

The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the run of success.

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

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

If this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this knock came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in the nets, it's been a challenging time because it appeared I've had no rhythm at all," said Healy.

"However when you take the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you simply focus on the competition."

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.

One run resulted off the opening delivery and from that point Healy was in motion.

"An opportunity to take the field and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.

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

By the time she was out Australia required another 66 at one run per ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I am glad we have the assurance to do that now," added Healy.

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

Those words will be the last Australia's opponents at this World Cup should hear.

During the last week a sense they will win from any position has only strengthened - this victory following victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.

During that phase they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have postponed consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a global event as captain.

Victory in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.